Characterization of Glass Alterations in Ancient Glass from Various Environments from Broborg, a Vitrified Swedish Hillfort

Glass is considered a highly durable material as evidenced by our continued use of it as vessels for liquid such as dishware and vases. Since both natural and manmade glasses have been around for millennia, there are many case studies that probe the effects of aging, weathering, and wear on glass. These studies demonstrate that glass is resistant to wear, making it a suitable candidate for encapsulating waste, such as radioactive material, that would post a threat to the environment The composition of the glass affects weathering behavior, and alteration rates change over the course of decades due to changes in the altering environment. The effects of these external influences make it is difficult to study and compare alteration of different types and ages of glasses. For glass scientists to understand how a synthetic glass might alter and corrode in a certain environment, it is important to know the dominant mechanisms of alteration and alteration features they produce on the glass.