Effect of replacement of Al2O3 by Y2O3 on the structure and properties of alkali-free boro-aluminosilicate glass

Alkali-free boro-aluminosilicate glasses were prepared by the melt quenching method. The effect of Al2O3 replaced by different contents of Y2O3 on the structure and various properties of alkali-free boro-aluminosilicate glasses was studied. The changes of glass structure with varying components were investigated by the Fourier transform infrared spectra. Simultaneously, the relationship between the glass structure and the coefficient of thermal expansion, density, vickers hardness, bending strength, glass transmittance and chemical stability was discussed. The results show that the coefficient of thermal expansion and the density of glass increase with the increase of Y2O3 content. While, the chemical stability of the glass is reduced. The vickers hardness and bending strength decrease first and then increase with the Y2O3 content increasing. All the glasses have excellent optical transmittance, reaching more than 85%.