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Initial heating of a glass forming batch usually results in the release of some moisture, which may have been absorbed on the particles, or combined as water of hydration or as hydroxyl. Many of the components of common glass forming batches are somewhat hygroscopic, readily absorbing some water from the surroundings. Boric oxide may partially convert to boric acid (H3BO3), CaO may form Ca(OH)2, etc. Other components already contain water, e.g., NaOH, clays, hydrated alumina, NaB4O7.l0H2O, which will be released at moderate temperatures. The temperature at which this water is released will depend upon the nature of its bonding to the materials, i.e., physical or chemical, and the strength of these bonds. Removal of this water carries heat from the batch and increases the cost of processing. Far more gas is released during the decomposition of carbonates, sulfates, and nitrates. The gases released expand to volumes much greater than that of the starting batch, resulting in considerable mixing and stirring action, which aids in homogenization of the melt. The creation of so much gas, however, also leads to the formation of an extremely large number of bubbles, which must be removed from the melt before processing is completed. The rapid formation of a liquid can entrap a portion of the air which initially occupies the space between particles, and result in bubble formation. Rapid heating of such a melt can lead to expansion of these bubbles and foaming of the melt. It is possible for the foaming due to trapped air to cause the melt to rise above the upper rim of a crucible, if the crucible is initially filled to the top with batch. Since glass forming melts are usually very efficient at dissolving the bottom of furnaces, care should always be taken to ensure that this does not occur. Glass forming ability is defined in terms of resistance to crystallization of a melt during cooling; glass stability is defined in terms of resistance to crystallization of a glass duri