A STUDY OF THE IMPROVEMENT OF ELECTRICAL CONDUCTIVITY IN GLASS

The components of the glass were compared as to ionic size and valence andor position in the periodic table. Modifications in composition included the following ions Li, Na, K, Mg, Ca, Ba, P, A1, B, and Sn. Silicate glasses were made in the form of standard disks from smelts of a few compositions containing these ions in the oxide form. The compositions were restricted to 2 or 3 oxide systems and were altered by batch additions only. The Na ion was more effective than the Li or K ion in increasing the electrical conductivity in a glass. All of the oxides, with the exception of A123 and Sn, tended to decrease the conductivity when substituted in a glass at the expense of SiO2. A123 caused a slight increase Sn, a significant increase.