Abstract:
The glass melting tank for supplying a flat glass forming process has a melting zone (12) for melting solid batch material (20) and a refining zone (13) with reduced return flow of glass. The base of the refining zone (13) comprises a fusion cast refractory material (30) comprising alumina, silica and between 31 % and 43% by weight of zirconia. The refractory is conditioned by oxidation at at least 1450° C for 24 hours.