Preliminary studies of sulphate solubility and redox in 60P2O5–40Fe2O3 glasses

Preliminary studies of sulphate solubility, redox, composition, refractory corrosion and density of 60P2O5–40Fe2O3 (molar percent) glasses are presented. Techniques included Mössbauer spectroscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Sulphate solubility of the glass was very low, only 0.01 wt.% SO3. Iron (II) sulphate batch addition resulted in a more reduced glass than a sulphate-free batch. Redox, considered independently of temperature, had no effect on refractory corrosion or melt volatilisation in the range studied. No differences were detected in refractory corrosion using alumina or mullite crucibles. Higher oxygen partial pressure had no effect on iron valence. Values, trends and conclusions relating to density, molar volume, iron environment and iron coordination in these glasses were consistent with the accepted view.