The reaction between supercritical water and silicate glasses was analyzed using various surface analysis methods. The alkali silicate glasses with a diameter of 1 inch were treated over 300°C inside the chamber and cooled into room temperature after the treatment. The surface of the glasses was severely etched especially over 400°C, which is near the supercritical point of water; 374°C, 22. IMPa. Not only the formation of pores but also the precipitation of alkali in the glass were observed from the image of secondary electron microscopy (SEM) and EPMA analysis. An optical interferometry microscope revealed that the average roughness after the treatment dramatically increased depending on the increase of treatment temperature. The polishing test of the treated glass indicated that the mechanical properties at the surface of the treated glass dramatically decreased due to the reaction between supercritical water and glass.
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