TY - JOUR A1 - Zocca, Andrea A1 - Müller, Bernd R. A1 - Laquai, René A1 - Kupsch, Andreas A1 - Wieder, Frank A1 - Benemann, Sigrid A1 - Wilbig, Janka A1 - Günster, Jens A1 - Bruno, Giovanni T1 - Microstructural characterization of AP40 apatite-wollastonite glass-ceramic N2 - The microstructure of an apatite-wollastonite (code name AP40) glass-ceramic is analyzed in this study by combining 2D microscopy, phase analysis, X-ray absorption and synchrotron X-ray refraction computed tomography (XCT and SXRCT, respectively). It is shown that this combination provides a useful toolbox to characterize the global microstructure in a wide scale range, from sub-micrometer to millimeter. The material displays a complex microstructure comprising a glassy matrix with embedded fluorapatite and wollastonite small crystals. In this matrix, large (up to 200 μm) spike-shaped structures are distributed. Such microstructural features are oriented around a central sphere, thereby forming a structure resembling a sea urchin. A unique feature of SXRCT, in contrast to XCT, is that internal interfaces are visualized; this allows one to show the 3D distribution of these urchins with exceptionally good contrast. Furthermore, it is revealed that the spike-shaped structures are not single crystals, but rather composed of sub-micrometric crystals, which are identified as fluorapatite and diopside phases by SEM-EDX analysis. KW - Glass-ceramic KW - X-ray refraction KW - Computed tomography KW - Microstructure PY - 2023 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ceramint.2022.12.130 SN - 0272-8842 VL - 49 IS - 8 SP - 12672 EP - 12679 PB - Elsevier Science CY - Amsterdam AN - OPUS4-57452 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER -