Reduction effects in molten glass

JSGT 1957 V41 T337-T346

A number of reduction processes are considered which, it is postulated, can take place in molten glass. Three consequent phenomena, involving three possible reduction products, are discussed in detail. These involve (1) the formation of a crystalline product, as related to batches containing sodium sulphate and carbon, the effect of a reducing furnace atmosphere and the interaction between glass and iron articles, (2) the formation of bubbles from gaseous reaction products, and (3) the formation of free elements from network-modifying ions. A large amount of experimental evidence is considered in support of the new theory that certain observed colours in glass are produced by the diffusion into the glass of finely divided particles of metallic sodium formed as a consequence of reduction processes

J. E. Peña