Phosphates in Ceramic Ware: Iv, Phosphate Glasses*

A bstract Phosphorus pentoxide, which was used first to improve the color of heavy flint glasses, was later recognized as a valuable constituent of optical glasses, and the excellent ultraviolet transmission and low softening points of phosphate glasses have been found recently. Glasses that have a high content of P 2 O 5 have poor chemical resistivity, but this drawback is largely overcome by the addition of alumina. A possible picture of the constitution of phosphate glasses is presented, and the effect of alumina is explained. Some of the properties of the phosphate glasses have been investigated and correlated with their chemical composition and structure.