The effects of PEG molecular weight on fused silica glass sintering by using nano silicon oxide powder

Sintering pressed nanocomposites to obtain fused silica glasses was a simple and efficient method, while the binder plays an essential role in this process. This paper studied the influence of binder polyethylene glycol (PEG) with different molecular weights on sintering quality. The pH, viscosity, and thermal analysis of nanocomposites were analyzed. PEG of different molecular weights affects the size r of aggregated silica particles by influencing the viscosity of the suspension system and the interaction f of PEG-SiO 2 , which affects the specific heat capacity ( Cp ) and initial fusing temperature ( Ti ) finally. It was found that the pressed part with PEG-6000 could be densified completely after vacuum sintering for 30 min, comparing the optical images and SEM images. However, the rest pressed parts to have suboptimal optical quality since seam defects. The sintering quality of pressed parts was closely related to the trend of initial fusing temperature Ti with PEG molecular weight, and in the event of lower temperature Ti , the better sintering quality. Graphical abstract Highlights Transparent fused silica glass was prepared with the binder of PEG and PVB. PEG molecular weights affect the quality of sintered parts owing to the suspension viscosity as well as the specific heat capacity ( Cp ) and initial fusing temperature ( Ti ) with different. The PEG-6000 has the best performance according to the optical and sintering quality.