Optimization of Melt-quenching Process Parameters for Refractive Index of Barium Phosphate Glasses Using Taguchi Method

Process parameters of melt-quenching technique used for barium phosphate glass preparation have been optimized using Taguchi method. Ternary barium phosphate glasses, (50-X)BaO-XCaF2-50P2O5 were prepared according to the experimental layout obtained using Taguchi's standard orthogonal array. Effect of the process parameters such as composition of CaF2, melting temperature and soaking time on the response parameter (refractive index) was studied. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) conducted on S/N ratios of refractive index shows that composition of CaF2 is the only significant (p < 0.05) process parameter affecting the refractive index under 95% confidence level. Optimum condition of process parameters to achieve highest refractive index was obtained from main effects plots and response tables. Optimum value of the refractive index predicted considering only the optimum level of significant process parameter is compared with the experimental value of the refractive index obtained by conducting the confirmatory experiment at optimum levels of process parameters.