ANALYSIS OF RECENT MEASUREMENTS OF THE VISCOSITY OF GLASSES

Viscosity of Simple Soda-Silicate 500° to 1400°C Comparison of the results given by English with those of Washburn, Shelton and Libman, indicates a discrepancy in the absolute values of log₁₀ viscosity amounting to 0.6, those of Washburn et al., being relatively too high. If correction for this is made, the isothermal curves of log₁₀ viscosity as a function of soda content are smooth up to 50% Na₂O, showing no inflection. The observations as a function of temperature T are all represented within accidental error by an equation of the type where all three constants vary regularly with the composition. Change of Viscosity of Glass (6SiO₂, 2Na₂O) due to Molecular Substitution of CaO, MgO and Al₂O₃ for Na₂O The effect is clearly brought out by plotting (from the results of English) the change of log₁₀η due to the substitution as a function of temperature. The curves each show a sharp bend at a temperature between 840° and 1050°C, which is designated the aggregation temperature T_a. If we divide these curves by the corresponding percentage substituted, we get curves for each oxide which are straight and parallel below the aggregation temperatures, the slopes (increase of change of log₁₀η per 100°C) being ?0.056 (CaO), ?0.055 (MgO), ?0.018 (A1₂O₃) per per cent oxide substituted. For substitution of 1/2 molecule the slopes are ?0.325 (CaO), ?0.23 (MgO) and ?0.18 (Al₂O₃) per 100°. At the aggregation temperature the change of log₁₀η per per cent is a minimum, 0.03 to 0.06 for CaO, 0.12 for MgO, 0.07 for Al₂O₃. Evidence of Aggregation in Glasses, from viscosity Measurements The sharp bends in the plots of change of log₁₀η due to substitution of an oxide for Na₂O, suggest the beginning of molecular aggregation at these temperatures. These aggregation temperatures are close to the devitrification temperatures, but the effect on the viscosity curves cannot be due to actual devitrification since it does not change with time. Taking the aggregation temperatures as equal to devitrification temperatures, additional isotherms are roughly sketched into the equilibrium triangle of the system Na₂O-CaO-SiO₂. Change of Viscosity of Glass (4SiO₂, 2Na₂O) due to of Substitution of B₂O₃ for SiO₂ The change of log₁₀η (from the results of English) is plotted as a function of temperature, and also the change of log₁₀η per per cent B₂O₃. The curves are more complex than for the substitution for Na₂O.