FUNDAMENTAL CONDITION OF GLASS FORMATION*

A bstract The fundamental condition for glass formation is the existence of strongly bonded large networks or long chains of atoms in the liquid. Such chains or networks prevent or hinder the orderly orientation of atoms in the chains or networks themselves and also that of atoms, not in the networks in the liquid, near the melting point or liquidus temperature. A liquid structure will persist when the liquid is cooled below the melting point or liquidus temperature and will continue until free, long‐range movement of atoms becomes impossible. In order to obtain such long chains or large networks, it is necessary that (1) the bond strength of atoms in the chains or networks be very strong; (2) the small ring formation of these strongly bonded atoms be at a minimum; and (3) the relative numbers of various atoms in the chains or networks be such that at least a continuous chain is configuratively and structurally possible; at the same time, the coordination numbers of the glassforming atoms should be as small as possible to keep the bond strong. The general treatment is applied to all kinds of glasses, particularly oxide glasses. The bond strengths of all M—O single‐bond linkages in these glasses are calculated and tabulated here for the first time. The bond strength of all the glassformers was found to be greater than 80 kilocalories per Avogadro bond, that of the intermediates between 60 and 80, and that of the modifiers below 60; the transition is continuous, and the division into glassformers, intermediates, and modifiers is arbitrary.