Ceramic-Glass
Raw materials for Glass manufacturing:
Though it might be of help in using sodium carbonate in bringing down the melting point, it also brings with it a drawback of making the glass soluble in water which is one of the most highly undesirable properties of glass. To overcome this draw back other raw materials are used in the process. Limestone and Dolomite are used for providing better chemical durability.
Other non mandatory raw materials that impart properties to the glass are lead, Boron, Barium, Lanthanum oxide, Iron, Cerium oxide etc. Lead is added to provide better refractive index to the glass. Boron is added to change the thermal and electrical properties of glass. Barium is also an alternative to lead and has properties of increasing refractive index. Lanthanum oxide also provides better refractive index and lower dispersion properties. While iron is used for absorbing IR rays, cerium oxide is used for absorbing UV rays.
To be Contd…
