The Cause and Prevention of Glassware Corrosion in Domestic Mechanical Diswashers

Laboratory scale procedures and practical tests were used to study the problem of glassware corrosion (permanent filming) in domestic mechanical dishwashers. Results of these tests showed glassware corrosion to be caused by alkali attack of the glass structure. It was also found that sequestrants such as sodium tripolyphosphate greatly accelerate the corrosive action of alkali. Silicates, certain metals and metal oxides were found to inhibit glassware corrosion. The basis for this inhibiting effect is believed to be adsorption on the glass surface of reaction products of these materials in an alkaline solution.