Two-stage kinetic model for the alpha-beta phase recrystallisation in nickel sulphide

Toughened glass panels used as a glazing material in multistorey buildings are known to fracture prematurely when they contain nickel sulfide inclusio ns as a result of the alpha-beta phase recrystallisation in nickel sulfide. The kinetics of this recrystallisation were studied by differential scanni ng calorimetry (DSC) under isothermal and non-isothermal conditions. The re crystallisation was observed to be a two-step process with an induction per iod followed by the phase change. A two-stage kinetic model was used to est imate the recrystallisation time under ambient conditions. These values wer e found to correlate well with the observed time to failure for glass panel s installed in multistorey buildings.