Viscosity and thermal expansion of rare earth containing soda–lime–silicate glass

Viscosity, coefficient of thermal expansion, glass transition temperature and dilatometric softening temperature of soda–lime–silicate glass doped with rare earth oxides (La2O3, CeO2, Nd2O3) were investigated by the rotating crucible viscometer and dilatometry, the melting temperature and activation energy for viscous flow of the studied melt were derived on the basis of Arrhenius equation, in order to reveal the effects of rare earth elements on the behavior of soda–lime–silicate glass. The results show that introduction of rare earth oxides increases the coefficient of thermal expansion, decreases viscosity of soda–lime–silicate glass, and Nd2O3 is an exception in viscosity. The glass transition temperature, dilatometric softening temperature, melting temperature and activation energy for viscous flow of soda–lime–silicate glass doped with rare earth oxides increase with increasing cationic field strength of corresponding rare earth ions.