Evaluation of strain effects at the quartz-glassy matrix interphase in fired ceramic body by nanosized beam

The present proposal is aimed at evaluate the strain effects at the interphase between quartz grains and glassy matrix in traditional ceramic bodies. This goal can be achieved by mapping the quartz-glass interphase on a thin section sample, using a very small beam (about 150 nm) and collecting 2D diffraction images, both with a high resolution setup (large sample to detector distantance) and with pair distribution function approach (Qmax of at least 20 Ang-1). We want to measure two samples, corresponding to the same composition (50% clays, 30 % feldspar, 20% quartz) fired at three peak firing temperatures (i.e. 1100 and 1220°C), a parameter that appears to influence the quartz's level of strain in bulk sample. In our recent study in bulk samples, this effect appears to be addressed to the different thermal expansion coefficient of quartz and glass during the cooling step of the ceramic firing process and has been never investigated with such level of detail.