Formation Mechanism of Crystalline Phase During Corrosion of Aluminum Phosphate Glasses

The data results confirm at the atomic scale that the crystalline products formed on the phosphate glass surface are a result of dissolved Q1 macromolecular units reaching dissolution saturation equilibrium in the leaching solution and subsequently deposition. There are two distinct dissolution modes for the glass during the immersion process: overall macromolecular unit leaching and the continuous dissolution of Q0 units that persists throughout the entire corrosion process.

As the immersion time prolongs, the crystal layer composed of the Q1 macromolecular units impedes the further dissolution of Q1 units. On the other hand, the Q0 unit continues to dissolve into the solution.