Note on the Homogeneity of Small-scale Glass Melting's in Platinum

JSGT 1929 V13 T243-T247

Necessity is at the bottom of small-scale melting in most laboratories, for even small-scale melting can be an expensive matter. Apart from the economic factor, however, there are substantial advantages in· the speed with which small glass samples can be prepared and in the greater certainty with which temperature distribution and temperature constancy can be attained, especially in electrically heated furnaces. At the same time, there are factors which add greatly to the difficulty of preparing homogeneous specimens in small crucibles. These include the relatively great surface area in proportion to the mass of glass and the much more extensive corrosion which arises in proportion, and finally the difficulty of obtaining pouring's or drawings of glass which are free from waves, cords, striae, and other sources of inhomogeneity.

Violet Dimbleby, H. W. Howes & W. E. S. Turner