A generalized method for determining the crystal nucleation and growth rates in glasses by differential thermal analysis

A generalized experimental method that uses differential thermal analysis (DTA) has been developed for determining the nucleation rate (I), the crystal growth rate (U), and the concentration of quenched-in nuclei (N_q) in glasses. The method is applicable even for glasses, whose I and U curves (as a function of temperature) overlap to a considerable degree. Measuring I by the conventional method may yield an overestimated value for I if the chosen crystal growth temperature is within the region of overlap between I and U. When applied to a Na₂O · 2CaO · 3SiO₂ glass, whose I and U curves are known to overlap considerably, the present DTA method yields values for I, U, and N_q that are in excellent agreement with the same values determined by the conventional methods.