The Influence of Silicon Oxide on the Mechanical Properties of Metaphosphate Glasses

The possibility of improving the mechanical properties of potassium aluminum metaphosphate glasses through the introduction of silicon oxide into the glass composition is analyzed. It is shown that the elastic moduli (Young modulus, shear modulus, Poisson ratio) and the hardness remain almost unchanged with an increase in the content of silicon oxide in the glass. At the same time, the structural strength increases by a factor of 1.7 and the fracture toughness increases by a factor of 1.3. The assumption is made that the observed increase in the structural strength is associated with the incorporation of silicon ions into the structure of the metaphosphate glass in the octahedral coordination.