How much is required in any glass batch?
The amount of spodumene or Li2O is dependent on the type of the product manufactured. These are: (a) Container Glass Recommended Li2O content is 0.1 – 0.25 wt% typically 0.2 wt%, to partially replace K2O or Na2O. Glass Grade Spodumene in the raw batch is from 2.5 – 4 wt%. (b) Fibreglass Li2O increases the surface tension of the glass and also acts as a refining agent. Thus it can partially replace B2O3, Na2O, K2O and fluorine in the batch. The Li2O content can vary from 0.2 to 0.7 wt%. (c) Glass Ceramics As the coefficient of thermal expansion is very low for these products, the Li2O content varies from 0.4 to 5 wt%. (d) Pharmaceutical, lighting, TV, Tableware, Cosmetic Glass The general recommended level of Li2O is 0.15 – 0.25 wt%.
