Phase separation and the properties of lithium calcium silicate glasses

Many properties of lithium calcium silicate glasses are strongly, affected by the morphology of the samples. Properties considered in this study inclu de density: refractive index and thermal expansion coefficient which are no t sensitive to the presence of phase separation, and electrical conductivit y, glass transformation temperature, and dilatometric softening temperature , which are strongly affected by phase separation. Sharp changes in electri cal conductivity and dilatometric softening temperature are caused by, chan ges in the connectivity of the modifier rich and silica rich phases, respec tively Results of this study emphasise the interaction between effects of a tomistic and morphologic structures in controlling the properties of glasse s.