Electrochemical phenomenon at the glass-refractory material interface

GT V01 1960174-179

bedded in a refractory material provides an easy means of continuously recording chemical changes due to alkali penetration. It permits also the study of the kinetics of the refractory attack by molten glass. Great care must be exercised in conducting these experiments to exclude any change in the composition of the atmosphere because of the high sensitivity of these electrolytic circuits to the presence of reducing or oxidizing gases. Dissolution of refractory materials by molten glass does not appear to be an electrochemical process comparable to metal corrosion. Attempts to modify the course of the corrosion by injecting counter electro- motive forces into the refractory phase gave no positive results. Nevertheless, application of external electro- motive forces may enhance alkali ion migration and so accelerate the high temperature corrosion of the refractory surface. Such an electrolysis cannot extend very far from the electrode because of the low conductivity of the crystalline phases. At present only preliminary kinetic studies by the electrical method have been made but the interesting results appeared worthy of notice.

L. Leger, M. Bofe & E. Plumat