Synthesis, structural and thermal characterization of silica glasses containing BaO, SrO and ZnO oxides

Abstract Alternatives to lead crystal glass were initially selected from CD-ROM ‘interglad’ data, and then elaborated. These samples have properties closer to those of conventional lead crystal, are completely lead free. In this study, vitrifiable mixtures based on silicon, barium, strontium and zinc oxides were melted at 1450 °C, annealed at 580 °C, and characterized by x-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy and Calorimetric Thermal Analysis (DSC). X-ray diffraction confirms the amorphous character of all investigated glasses. The vibration bands are identified by infrared and Raman spectroscopy. These results highlight the influence of glass composition on structural properties. The glass transition temperatures (Tg) were determined by differential scanning calorimetric analysis (DSC). The obtained results vary from 546.8 °C to 632.6 °C, confirming the effect of the composition on the thermal properties.