Critical review on blistering models of molten glass in contact with ZrSiO4

International audience ; During the glass fabrication process, the contact between refractories and molten glass is sometimes subject to blistering phenomena. Various electrochemical reactions producing bubbles of gas within the molten glass or at the glass/refractory interface can be considered. The only consistent model accounting for the blistering phenomenon on zircon refractories has been proposed by F.G.K. Baucke, in 1988: the blistering phenomenon would result from oxidation of oxide ions by impurities present in the refractory. However, based on thermodynamic and kinetic considerations published in the literature, the assumptions underlying the model appear questionable.