Notes on Some Methods used in the Analysis of Glasses

JSGT 1927 V11 T153-T172

 The chemical compositions of glasses vary considerably, the number of constituents to be determined may range from five or six to sixteen or more, and it is impossible to give hard and fast rules for the methods to be used in analysis in all cases. The method employed for the determination of any one constituent must be chosen according to the number and character of the other constituents present, as determined by a qualitative analysis of the glass. Strange and wonderful results ensue if a thorough qualitative analysis be not carried out before putting in hand the definite quantitative work on glass of unknown composition. Further, it is impossible to determine some of the constituents of glasses without previously separating other constituents and errors of working gradually accumulate, so that the greatest care must be exercised in each operation if reasonable accuracy is to be attained.

Violet Dimbleby