Remarks on the Influence of Surface Tension in Glass Melting Processes

JSGT_1937_V21_T436_T441

Surface tension is shown to be an important factor in the process of obtaining homogeneity in molten glass; for the latter may in effect be a more or less intimate mixture of several different glasses. If the surface tension of the “embedded” glass is greater than that of its surroundings, then the glassy inclusion tends to present the least possible surface through which the homogenising process of diffusion can take place. Conversely, if the surface tension of the glassy inclusion is less than that of its surroundings it tends to present the maximum possible surface of contact, and the diffusing and homogenising processes are then greatly facilitated.

H. Jebsen-Marwedel