Synthesis and optical properties of SiO2–Al2O3–MgO–K2CO3–CaO–MgF2–La2O3 glasses

A series of five glass compositions were prepared by using the conventional melt quenching technique in the system SiO2–Al2O3–MgO–K2CO3–CaO–MgF2–La2O3 with different contents of SiO2, MgO, K2CO3, MgF2 and La2O3. The effects on the optical and physical properties of these glasses due to the addition of La2O3 as well as variation of the various oxides have been investigated. X-ray diffraction analysis is used to confirm the amorphous nature of the prepared glasses. Structures of glasses were studied by using UV–Vis and Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy. The drilling test was also performed on their glass ceramic samples to confirm the machinability.