Differential anomalous wide-angle X-ray scattering and X-ray absorption experiments to investigate the formation of glass ceramics in the CaO-SiO₂-ZrO₂ system

The structure of a CaO-SiO₂-ZrO₂-based glass ceramic has been investigated by X-ray diffraction, X-ray absorption spectroscopy and differential anomalous scattering techniques as a function of the thermal treatment of the sample. The microstructure of the glass has been investigated at room temperature, before the recrystallization of the glass ceramic, and on two samples annealed at 1073 and 1273 K for 1 h to follow the early stages of nucleation of the quartz and wollastonite crystalline phases. Indications on the roles of Ca, Si and Zr during the devitrification process are given.