In the glass melt tank, the refractory bricks are exposed unprotected to the aggressive glass melt. This results in corrosion, abrasion, and erosion, which significantly reduces the service life of the glass melt tank. In addition, this wear can also have a negative impact on the glass result as well as the glass quality.
Platinum and molybdenum are the only metals that are able to withstand the high temperatures and chemical corrosion caused by the glass melt. Platinum is very expensive, whereas molybdenum is the economical, high-performance alternative.