OXYNITRIDE GLASSES

The present work is a review of the numerous nitridation experiments w hich have been carried out in different glass forming systems. After a brief introduction to the topic of the solubility of nitrogen in glas s melts, the nitridation procedures and the different ways of incorpor ating nitrogen into the glass network are described. Also considered i s the increasing cross-linking structure due to the incorporation of n itrogen. This involves a rise of the transition temperature, a decreas e of the thermal expansion coefficient, and an improvement of the mech anical properties as well as of the chemical durability of the oxynitr ide glasses, depending closely on the nitrogen content. Some experimen ts on preparation of oxynitride glasses via the sol-gel procedure are also described. Due to their properties the oxynitride glasses have be en employed in several specific technical fields.