Glass formation in the ternary sulphate system, K2SO4–Na2SO4–ZnSO4

Abstract

Glasses have been prepared by conventional quenching techniques in the ternary sulphate system K2SO4–Na2SO4–ZnSO4, in the range 30–80 % ZnSO4. The proportions of alkali sulphates in the glass have been varied widely. The glass formation region has been delineated and densities, refractive indices and microhardnesses have been measured. The heat capacities of the glasses have been measured over a wide range of temperature by differential scanning calorimetry. The effect of composition on molar volume, molar polarization and glass transition have been explained on the basis of a random close-packing model.