The effect of Bi2O3 on the structure and properties of float glass

CaO-Al₂O₃-SiO₂ system float glasses were melted at an elevated temperature, and about 60% of the total energy was occupied by melting and clarification stage. In order to reduce the melting temperature of the float glasses, Bi₂O₃ was added as fluxing agent. The structure and some melting properties such as the influence of the addition of the oxidation bismuth on the properties of float glass melt, melting temperature, and the structure of glass were studied. The results showed that the basic structure was not changed with the addition of Bi₂O₃ from 0.5% to 2%. The viscosity of the glass melt decreased with the addition of Bi₂O₃ obviously, as the viscosity of the glass melt was 1.35 Pa·s, the temperature was reduced by about 30 °C from sample A₁ to sample A₅. With the increasing of Bi₂O₃, the bending strength of glass was reduced and the transmisivity of glass samples had no change in visible light range, and the transmissivity of the glass samples was more than 88%. The ultraviolet cut-off length showed red shift with the addition of Bi₂O₃. With the increasing of Bi₂O₃, the water resistance of the glass samples was improved.