PHASE, GLASS FORMATION AND THE PROPERTIES OF BaO-Bi2O3-B2O3 GLASSES

Information on phase and glass formation in bismuth-borate systems as a basis for obtaining lead-free low-melting glasses with wide ranging physical and optical properties is generalized. Information on the phase composition and structure in Bi2O3–B2O3 and BaO–Bi2O3–Bi2O3 systems is presented. Data on glass formation and properties in the system BaO–Bi2O3–B2O3 system are presented, including data obtained by the present authors. The rapid development of opto-electronics is making it necessary to search for new optical systems among which bismuth borates occupy a special place, ensuring that glasses based on them are low-melting, comparable to many lead glasses, and giving glass with a considerably higher refractive index together with a much lower heavy-metal oxide content.