The corrosion of potassium rich silicate glasses is strongly influenced by humidity, temperature and pollutants like sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and organic acids. Synergetic effects are also observed. Sensors based on slices of such glasses are used for monitoring the environmental impact, e.g. on cultural heritage objects. New sensors with drastically increased sensitivity use glass powder of the composition mentioned above attached to a nonreactive infrared transparent substrate. In order to evaluate the reaction of the powder glass sensor to a corrosive attack of the environment, infrared transmission measurements are performed before and after exposure. The progress of corrosion can be detected by infrared spectroscopy. Under investigation are bands of silanol groups and molecular water which are enhanced by corrosion.
