Melting and Drawing Fibers of Borate Glass

The goal of this portion of the borate glass lab is to experience the glass transition through observing the temperature dependence of viscosity. Students work in teams of two, drawing sodium borate glass fibers from prepared melts.

Glass-filled crucibles ready for heating. Crucibles in the furnace. Demonstrating the procedure. Removing a heated crucible with tongs. Removing a heated crucible with tongs. The glowing hot crucible. Pouring the molten glass. Students draw glass fibers. Students draw glass fibers.