Glass formation in the Sb2O3–CdCl2–SrCl2 ternary system

Vitreous systems based on antimony oxide Sb2O3 have been investigated. The limits for glass formation are reported in the Sb2O3–CdCl2–SrCl2 ternary system, and in the Sb2O3–SrCl2–(0.5CdCl2 + 0.5ZnCl2) pseudo ternary system. Amorphous state is confirmed by XRD patterns. Thermal measurements implemented by differential scanning calorimetry show that Tg is above 300 °C. As a general trend, Tg increases with chloride content. These glasses have an extended transmission in the mid-infrared spectrum with a refractive index larger than 2. The influence of the CdCl2/Sb2O3 substitution on the physical properties has been studied in the (90 − x)Sb2O3–xCdCl2–10SrCl2 system: thermal expansion, Vickers microhardness, Young and bulk modulus decrease as cadmium concentration increases. An inverse dependence is observed for shear modulus. This behaviour is discussed in relation to structural hypothesis.