Glass forming region and physical properties in the system P2O5-Na2O–Fe2O3

Abstract The glass forming region of the system P2O5–Na2O–Fe2O3 was determined, using phosphate salts as precursor materials. The glasses were produced in non-wetting gold/platinum crucibles in order to avoid contamination. Glass formation was confirmed using XRD and the final composition determined using EDX. The glass forming region was found to be relatively short at 50% P2O5 content in comparison to both lower and higher P2O5 content. As expected, the inclusion of Fe2O3 had a significant effect on both glass transition temperature and density with a peak seen at around 30 mol% Fe2O3. This coincides with previously reported abrupt structural changes in the glass. The inclusion of Na2O has little effect on the glass transition temperature but causes a small increase in density.