Equilibrium and Transport Properties of Gases in E-Glass Melts

The solubility and diffusion coefficients of oxygen, sulfur dioxide, and water were determined (and those for nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and argon were estimated) in commercial E-glass melts as a function of melt temperature and atmosphere. Knowledge of these fundamental constants of gases in glass melts is required for the development of models for bubble growth and elimination within the melt. The effectiveness of fining agents can be traced to the production of those gases in the melt which possess the greatest variation in solubility and diffusion as a function of the temperature and atmosphere. Accordingly, oxygen through multivalent elements and sulfur are the best fining agents for glass production.