Network Glasses

Diffusion of the molecular gases can be compHcated by reactions with the glass network, especially at the sites of stmctural defects. The diffusion coefficient of water, for example, shows a distinct break around 550°C (110). Above 550°C, the activation energy is approximately 80 kj /mol (19 kcal/mol), but below 550°C, it is only 40 kJ/mol (9.5 kcal/mol). Proposed explanations for the difference cite the fact that the reaction between water and the sihca network to form hydroxyls is not in equiUbrium at the lower temperatures. 

This is an irreversible reaction resulting in permanent damage to the glass network. 

Studies on hot water tank enamelsin media of varying pH demonstrate a minimum corrosion rate at pH value of 4. In citric acid (pH 2), IR measurements indicate that ion exchange is the principal mode of corrosion. Distilled water (pH 7) showed evidence of a bulk dissolution mechanism with no silica enrichment of the surface layer. In neutral solutions, the first stage of attack is leaching of alkali ions, raising the pH of solution, which subsequently breaks down the glass network of the acidic oxides. 

If both the IT ions and the UOjT1" ions are situated in the interstitial holes of the glass network, then the solubility of U0tf should be smaller, instead of much larger than the IT1-4 ion. 

Another view of the role of fluoride is that metal fluorides occupy holes in the major glass network (Rabinovich, 1983). There is experimental... 

Hydroxy-terminated PDMS, however, has disadvantages. The monofunctional ends limit the number of connections between the polymer (or oligomer) molecule and the glass network to two. This limitation raises the possibility that some PDMS molecules are not tied at both ends to the glass network if the polycondensation does not go to completion i.e. there may be "dangling" or loose PDMS chains in the final sol-gel material. This occurance of free ends would indeed be anticipated since the extent of reaction most likely is not 100%. Hence, the physical properties, specifically the mechanical behavior of the overall material, would be expected to suffer as a result of loose PDMS chains in the system. Disregarding this potential problem, the mechanical behavior of the sol-gel hybrids are, ultimately, influenced by the mechanical behavior of the modifying elastomer ... 

A "tighter" developed glass network would, logically, result in higher modulii and lower elongations. Also, since the titanium acts as a catalyst, the initial... 

The glassy systems mentioned in Figs. 4.1(h) and 4.2 show that quite complex chemical compositions have been prepared in the glassy state. Up to three basic constituents are present in all ionically conducting glasses network formers, network modifiers and ionic salts, in different proportions. 

Borates, through their ability to act as glass network formers, can act as excellent char formers and drip suppressants in fire retardant applications. In many cases this involves processing into polymeric materials, leading to specific requirements for thermal stability and particle size. Most common borate materials, however, exhibit relatively low dehydration temperatures and may be unsuitable for use in many polymer systems. Zinc borates are often used because they have unusually high dehydration onset temperatures and can be produced as small particle size powders. 

Oxynitride glasses are silicate or alumino-silicate glasses in which oxygen atoms in the glass network are partially replaced by nitrogen atoms. As nitrogen increases, glass transition temperature, elastic modulus, viscosity and hardness increase while thermal expansion coefficient decreases. 

Nelson, C., Furukawa, T., and White, W. B. (1983) Transition metal ions in glasses Network modifiers or quasi-molecular complexes Mat. Res. Bull., 18,959-66. 

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