Microstructure–mechanical properties of Ag0/Au0 doped K–Mg–Al–Si–O–F glass-ceramics

In understanding the catalytic efficacy of silver (Ag0) and gold (Au0) nanoparticles (NPs) on glass-ceramic (GC) crystallization, the microstructure–machinability correlation of a SiO2–MgO–Al2O3–B2O3–K2O–MgF2 system is studied. The thermal parameters viz., glass transition temperature (Tg) and crystallization temperature (Tc) were extensively changed by varying NPs (in situ or ex situ). Tc was found to be increased (Tc = 870–875 °C) by 90–110 °C when ex situ NPs were present in the glass system. Under controlled heat-treatment at 950 ± 10 °C, the glasses were converted into glass-ceramics with the predominant presence of crystalline phase (XRD) fluorophlogopite mica, [KMg3(AlSi3O10)F2]. Along with the secondary phase enstatite (MgSiO3), the presence of Ag and Au particles (FCC system) were identified by XRD. A microstructure containing spherical crystallite precipitates (∼50–400 nm) has been observed through FESEM in in situ doped GCs. An ex situ Ag doped GC matrix composed of rock-like and plate-like crystallites mostly of size 1–3 μm ensured its superior machinability. Vicker's and Knoop microhardness of in situ doped GCs were estimated within the range 4.45–4.61 GPa which is reduced to 4.21–4.34 GPa in the ex situ Ag system. Machinability of GCs was found to be in the order, ex situ Ag > ex situ Au ∼ in situ Ag > in situ Au. Thus, the ex situ Ag/Au doped SiO2–MgO–Al2O3–B2O3–K2O–MgF2 GC has potential for use as a machinable glass-ceramic.