The Effect of CaCO3 Addition on Physical Properties of ZnO-Based Crystal Glaze
The effects of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) addition on the physical properties of ZnO-based crystal glaze batches were investigated. Samples were fired at different gloss firing temperatures ranging from 1180-1220°C with 3 hours soaking at 1060°C crystallization temperature. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis identifiedthe crystal phase occurred as willemite (Zn2SiO4) and the scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis indicated that willemite crystals are in the acicular needle like shape that formed spherulite. The intensities of willemite peaks decreased with CaCO3 addition and completely vanished at 5.0 wt% CaCO3. Varied formation of spherulites developed of the surface of crystal glaze as the flows of the glaze stretched further as the amount of CaCO3 increased.