Diopside (SYNSIL-D) and wollastonite were used as sources of Ca0, Mg0, and Si02 in the formation of soda-lime-silicate glasses. Use of these minerals as sources of Ca0 and Mg0 reduces the carbonate content of the batch and thus reduces 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 1450 deg C indicate that use of diopside reduces the time to form a fined glass by up to 30%. Similar studies of the use of wollastonite did not result in any 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-silicate glasses.
