Induced Crystallization Of Glass-Forming Melts - Part 1: Heterogeneous Nucleation. Effect Of Noble Metal Microcrystals On The Crystallization Of Calcium Metaphosphate Glasses

The possibilities of initiating crystallization in glass-forming melts are analyzed, using experimental evidence, obtained with several model glass-forming systems. In the present Part 1 of the investigation, the process of heterogeneous nucleation, catalyzed by insoluble crystallization cores is studied, using a new theoretical thermodynamic model. The nucleation activity coefficient of the substrates is describes by the adhesion energy at the interface crystallization core/overgrowing crystal. Lattice disregistry is accounted for as an additional correlation factor, influencing the thermodynamic work of adhesion. In Part 2 of the investigation, the effect of soluble oxide additives on nucleation and crystallization in glass-forming melts is considered.