MICROSTRUCTURAL PROPERTIES OF LEUCITE-TYPE GLASS-CERAMICS FOR DENTAL USE

Microstructure of leucite-type dental glass-ceramics was investigated using X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, lase r Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersi ve X-ray spectrometry. The main features of the FT-IR and laser Raman spectra were similar to those of silicate glasses containing Al3+ or o ther M3+ (M = metal) as network forming ions. Two weak IR bands at 640 and 543 cm(-1) were typical of all leucite glass-ceramics. These IR b ands disappeared with the conversion of leucite glass-ceramics to the glass state. The laser Raman spectrum of leucite-type glass exhibited one unusual band centred approximately at 4600 cm(-1) possessing the f luorescence/luminescence spectral feature together with two luminescen ce sharp peaks at 5037 and 5007 cm(-1). The effects of quenching (cool ing) on the morphological and chemical properties of leucite-type dent al glass-ceramics were monitored.