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 (Nq) 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 Nq that are in excellent agreement with the same values determined by the conventional methods.