Evidence Of Tin Oxide Recrystallization In Opacified Lead Glazes

Tin oxide (Sn02) particles that are a few hundred nanometers in size and are embedded in a lead glaze act as a white opacifier. The insolubility of Sn02 particles in a lead glaze is responsible for this microstructure. Although it is assumed that Sn02 particles do not react during the glaze formation, it was demonstrated that the development of metastable phases prior to the fusion of the Pb0-Si02-Sn02 mixture allows the Sn02 particles to react and then recrystallize subsequent to the fusion of the mixture.