Effect of P2O5 on the Crystallization of Lead Silicate Glasses

The effect of P₂O_S on the devitrification of binary lead silicate glasses containing 64 and 59 mol% PbO was studied. Glasses underwent isothermal crystallization treatments at 400°, 450°, 500°, and 550°C. A polymorph of 3PbO₂SiO₂ was the major product of crystallization for all compositions of glasses. Secondary products of crystallization were found to be a polymorph of PbOSiO₂ in the 59 mol% and a low-temperature polymorph of 2PbOSiO₂ in the 64 mol% PbO glasses. Dominant mode of crystallization in both binary glasses was surface devitrification at all temperatures studied. Addition of P₂O₅ promoted internal crystallization in the form of spherulites. 400°C was found to be the most effective temperature for nucleating spherulitic growth. Crystallization at 400°C led to high concentrations of spherulites in all glasses containing at least 0.5 mol% P₂O₅. Concentrations of 0.5 mol% P₂O₅ were needed to produce detectable levels of spherulitic nucleation at r<400°C.