Weathering Of The Inner Surface Of Soda-Lime-Silica Glass Containers Exposed To The Atmosphere

Italian scientists have recently published a new report concerning weathering phenomena (blooming, iridescence) occurring on the inner surface of pristine, unfilled soda-lime-silica glass containers during storage, using surface analytical techniques and chemical analysis. The weathering pattern includes diffuse leaching accompanied by neocrystallizations indicating reactions of the glass with the environmental components. An explanation of the weathering pattern and a mechanism of deterioration is proposed. Significant differences seen with this type of weathering, compared with that of soda-lime-silica float glass exposed outdoors in a polluted urban environment are also discussed.