Melt-casting of Si-Al-Y-O glasses and glass-ceramics by combustion synthesis under high gravity

Si-Al-Y-O glasses and glass-ceramics were prepared via melt-casting by combustion synthesis under high gravity. The phase assemblage and microstructure of the cast products strongly depended on the content of SiO₂ and the additive ZrO₂ or La₂O₃ in the starting compositions. With increasing content of SiO₂, the glass-forming ability of the melt was enhanced. The additive ZrO₂ was not dissolved into the glass and inclined to crystallize, but La₂O₃ was inclined to remain in the glass matrix instead of precipitation. With a short processing period and lower energy consumption, combustion synthesis under high gravity can offer a new approach to fast fabrication of glass and glass-ceramic materials.