Elevating thermal and chemical properties of aluminoborosilicate medical neutral glass via adjusting CaO, BaO and ZnO

For sake of enhancing dependability and broadening application of medical packing glass, this work is designed to develop a new-type aluminoborosilicate neutral glass and optimize its main performances by adjusting CaO, BaO and ZnO amounts. Based on X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance and performances analysis, the different effects of BaO, CaO and ZnO were interpreted. The partial replacing BaO with CaO facilitated formation of [AlO4] and thermal stability, while entirely substitution of CaO impaired the Si group network connectivity and chemical stability. The ZnO was testified as a weak network former which reversely hindered [BO4] and [AlO4] formations, and boosted the water resistance specifically. In summary, a series of neutral glasses fulfilled requirements for medical packing material was prepared, and improved thermal and chemical properties were obtained whilst BaO/CaO mixed ratio reached about 0.8; the ZnO bearing glasses showed higher water resistance but faintly weaker thermal and partial chemical performances.