Glass-based pigments in painting: smalt blue and lead–tin yellow type II

Glass-based pigments have an important role in the panorama of artistic production due to the fact that their manufacturing processes involve a combination of different skills and understanding, and they have a role in disciplines ranging from glass technology to metallurgy, from glazed ceramic to stone imitation and from vitreous mosaic tesserae to painting materials. The main goal of this manuscript is to present a critical review of the literature relating to blue smalt and “yellow glass” (lead–tin yellow type II) pigments: presenting their historical background, the analytical protocol, the processes of alteration and decay and finally tracing issues. Several case studies analyzed by the authors will be presented. Particular attention was devoted to the correlation between micro-textural features and decay processes affecting the studied pigments, though the widespread heterogeneity of the analyzed materials and the variability of the artistic techniques in which the pigments were used as well as the effect of the relevant (micro-)environmental conditions dictate a cautious approach. These studies are presented in the context of information about the chain of production, the selection of the raw materials and relevant provenance studies.

The Use of Controlled Dissolution Glasses to Consolidate and Create Permeable or Impermeable Minerals in Formation

Scope Controlled dissolution glasses form a permanent consolidating mineral matrix inside formations with either permeable or impermeable properties. The unique solution has a low injection viscosity and can be easily injected into a wide range of formations. The application method is simple and does not require multiple fluids or pre- and post-flushing. This paper focuses on the benefits of controlled dissolution glasses and potential applications in the oil and gas industry. Methods, Procedures, Process Controlled dissolution glasses have been researched extensively by Glass Technology Services (GTS) since 1999 for the biomedical industry, nuclear waste storage industry, and defense and aerospace industries. GTS together with operators have been performing research and development for the oil industry over the last 10 years. The research investigated different glass compositions to determine their injectability and change in formation properties post-treatment. Sandstone, chalk, and shale formations were used in the testing. Flow testing using a Hoek cell and a core flood apparatus was used to determine the post-treatment permeability. For post-treatment strength measurement, Brazilian tensile strength tests and modified cone penetration tests were used to determine tensile strength and shear strength respectively. The testing evaluated different mixing fluids, such as water and different brines, compatibility, corrosion testing, and concentrations. Results, Observations, Conclusions The testing identified different glass compositions and concentrations that are suitable for different applications and formations. Certain glass compositions increase tensile strength significantly while also maintaining the permeability in the formation. Other glass compositions have similar tensile strength increase, but result in an impermeable seal. The liquid glass solutions react with the formation to form a mineral precipitation inside the formation. The reaction with the formation occurs quickly at downhole conditions, within hours of placement. The glass can be mixed with water and variety of brines to form a stable solution across a range of densities. The testing and results to date have laid the foundation for use in a variety of consolidation and P&A applications in oil and gas wells. Testing is ongoing for a chalk and sandstone consolidation solution and for a sealing solution. Novel/Additive Information These novel glass solutions can solve many of the production and instability challenges that plague weak formations. The glasses can be injected into very low permeability formation to either seal or consolidate.

Early Iron Age ‘black’ glass in Southwestern Iberia: typology, distribution, and context

In the past few years, deeply colored black-appearing glass has garnered a growing interest in the context of research on Iron Age glass technology and trade. The numerous ‘black’ glass beads found in Early Iron Age contexts of Southern Portugal have not however been considered in this discussion, and they remain largely unsystematized. In this contribution, a typological survey of these objects is presented which highlights their unusual concentration in a well-delimited area of Southern Portugal and their relatively circumscribed chronological setting. This is particularly striking when compared with other groups of beads, namely blue beads of various types, which are much more widespread and long-lasting. The global position of these beads is also considered, with typological comparisons and the few available compositional data suggesting that they may be the product of Punic, and perhaps specifically Carthaginian trade with the Western Iberian Peninsula. Finally, the possible specific historic context in which these beads arrived in Southern Portugal is considered.

Ferrosilicate glass ceramics based on wastes from ore concentration

We showed in this work that there is a possibility of recycling the wastes derived from iron ore concentration by using glass technology. The compositions of new glass ceramics with high technological and decorative properties were developed. The influence of Al2O3, MgO and Na2O additives to the waste from ore benefication on the parameters of the synthesized glass and its crystallization products was studied. The optimal temperatures of synthesis, annealing and crystallization of glass samples in the systems (Fe2O3–FeO)–SiO2–Al2O3–Na2O and (Fe2O3–FeO)–SiO2–Al2O3–MgO were shown to be 1450100С, 500–6000С and 700–8000C, respectively. It was established that the redox conditions of crystallization of glasses in the system (FeO–Fe2O3)–SiO2–Al2O3–Na2O strongly affect the nature of the iron-containing phases that are formed: oxidative conditions favors the formation of hematite (Fe2O3) and aegirinite (Na2OFe2O34SiO2), whereas reducing conditions contributes to the formation of wustite (FeO) and fayalite (2FeOSiO2). In the system (FeO–Fe2O3)–SiO2–Al2O3–MgO under both oxidative and reducing conditions of crystallization, the same crystalline phases appear: olivine (2(Mg,Fe)OSiO2), hercin (FeOAl2O3) and iron metasilicate (FeOSiO2). It was shown that the crystallization of samples under reducing conditions allows producing materials with higher microhardness. The surface layer of glasses and glass ceramics exhibited less microhardness than their deep layers.