Internal residual stresses in glass-ceramics: A review

Internal residual stresses arise in glass-ceramics upon cooling down from the crystallization temperature. These stresses are due to the thermal expansion and the elastic mismatch between the crystalline and glassy phases. Therefore, the mechanical properties of glass-ceramics are likely to depend not only on their composition and microstructure but also on the type (tension or compression) and magnitude of these residual stresses. In this work, we critically review the most commonly used theoretical models concerning residual stresses in glass-ceramics and glass-matrix composites, taking into consideration the effects of crystallized volume fraction, crystal shape and thermal expansion anisotropy. We also discuss most of the reported measurements of residual stresses in these dual-phase materials using different techniques, such as X-ray diffraction, nuclear magnetic resonance, Raman and fluorescence spectroscopy, and indentation. The available models and experimental results regarding spontaneous microcracking due to residual stresses are also discussed. Finally, guidelines for future work are suggested.