Preparation of Whisker β-Spodumene Glass–Ceramics

β-spodumene glass–ceramics with a whisker-like microstructure were prepared from the following materials (in wt%): 64.5 SiO₂, 18.0 Al₂O₃, 4.2 Li₂O, 4 ZrO₂, and 8 MgF₂. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis showed that phase separation in the base glass leads to the formation of a primary crystal phase of MgF₂ that promotes the formation of spherical β-spodumene. Whisker spodumene crystals surrounded by spherical crystals are observed at 720°C after 1 h, and the whisker crystals grow at the cost of spherical crystals with increasing temperature and time. The flexural strengths of the glass–ceramics reach a maximum of 228 MPa after heat treatment at 850°C for 1 h.