correlation between structure and properties in new glasses containing ZrO2

In this work several complementary techniques have been employed to carefully characterise the structure of CaO–ZrO2–SiO2 glasses as a function of Zr content. The research started from the basic binary system 40CaO.60SiO2 (wt%) to which 5, 10, 15 and 20 wt% ZrO2 has been added. Chemical and physical characterisation has been performed using classical techniques such as thermal analyses (differential thermal analysis and dilatometery) and water chemical resistance. Deeper insight on the intimate structure of the glasses has been achieved through molecular dynamics simulations and x-ray absorption spectroscopy. All results have been combined in order to accurately describe the role played by the different oxides in determining the properties of the glass. Particular care has been devoted to the role of zirconia.