The Effect of SrO Addition on the Recrystallization of ZrSiO₄ in Raw Glass-Ceramic Glazes from the SiO₂-Al₂O₃-CaO-MgO-K₂O-ZrO2 System

The aim of this experiment was to determine the effect of the addition of strontium oxide on the recrystallization of zirconium silicate when adding strontium oxide to the glaze composition. Zirconia glazes (four different contents) were prepared, to which strontium oxide was added in amounts of 0, 1, 3, 6, and 12 mass% SrO. The characteristic temperatures of the raw glazes were measured, based on which the maximum firing temperatures were determined. The fired glazes were subjected to a study of their phase compositions and an observation of their microstructures. An analysis of the characteristic temperatures showed a fluxing effect, but it was not as strong for all glazes. Differences in the amount of the crystalline phase of zirconium silicate obtained in the fired glazes, as well as the partial transition of zirconium silicate to the amorphous phase, were observed. Observations of the microstructure clearly indicated an increase in the homogeneity of the distribution of zirconium silicate.