Mechanical properties of phosphate glasses as a function of the total bonding energy per unit volume of glass

The dependences of the structural strength and the elastic modulus on the chemical composition of phosphate glasses are analyzed. The structural strength and the elastic modulus of phosphate glasses are determined for different types of both the modifier ion and the second glass-former (B2O3 or SiO2) introduced into the glass. The total bonding energy per unit volume of the glass is calculated from the data on the dissociation energy for the oxides entering into the glass composition and the data on the atomic packing density. For four systems of phosphate glasses, it is demonstrated that the Young’s modulus depends linearly on the total bonding energy per unit volume of the glass. The dependence of the structural strength on the chemical composition exhibits a more complex behavior and is governed by other additional factors, such as the formation of new structural groups or the change in the structure of the anionic network of the glass.