Evidence of Tin Oxide Recrystallization in Opacified Lead Glazes

Abstract

Tin oxide (SnO 2 ) particles that are a few hundred nanometers in size and are embedded in a lead glaze act as a white opacifier. The insolubility of SnO 2 particles in a lead glaze is responsible for this microstructure. Although it is assumed that SnO 2 particles do not react during the glaze formation, we demonstrate that the development of metastable phases prior to the fusion of the PbO‐SiO 2 ‐SnO 2 mixture allows the SnO 2 particles to react and then recrystallize subsequent to the fusion of the mixture. The recrystallization of SnO 2 occurs during heating and/or cooling until the temperature is sufficiently low and/or the tin supply is exhausted.