Diopside (SYNSIL_Dtm) and wollastonite were uses as sources of CaO, MgO, and SiO2 in the formation of soda-lime-silicate glasses. Use of these minerals as sources of CaO and MgO reduces the carbonate content of the batch and thus reduced the amount of Co2 that must be removed during fining. In addition, the use of silicate minerals as the source of a portion of the silica reduces the amount of sand used in the batch and speeds the batch dissolution process. Batch-free and fining time studies at 1350, 1400 and 1450C indicate that use of diopside reduced the time to form a fined glass by up to 30%. Similar studies of the use of wollastonite did not result in and significant improvement in melting behaviour. The results of this study clearly demonstrate that the use of diopside should prove advantageous in the production of commercial soda-lime-silica glasses.
