SURFACE VISCOUS FLATTENING KINETICS OF SODA-LIME SILICATE GLASS BY SINUSOIDAL PROFILE DECAY METHOD

The kinetics of the flattening of surface corrugations of float glasses were investigated in dry nitrogen at 610 to 670°C. The amplitude of the sinusoidal surface profile decayed exponentially with time while its wavelength remained constant. The dependence of decay rate on wavelength indicated that the process is controlled by the viscous flow. From the obtained rate constant the viscosity was calculated using the surface energy value determined independently by the zero-creep method. The viscosity thus obtained reflects the mass transport property in the vicinity of the glass surface. It was several times larger than that determined by the fibre elongation or intrusion method which should reflect the bulk properties. No difference in the decay rate was observed on both the surfaces of float glass of which only one side had been exposed to molten tin during the glass manufacturing process. © 1979.