Abstract
The glass transition, observed in glasses during differential scanning calorimetry experiments at a constant heating rate, is described as a kinetic phenomenon caused by the continuous approach of free volume towards equilibrium during the warming up. At a certain temperature below the glass temperature T g, the amount of free volume becomes smaller than the equilibrium value at that temperature. The glass transition is caused by a rather sudden increase in free volume towards equilibrium near T g. This can be calculated by making use of the well known kinetics of free-volume annihilation and production in some metallic glasses. Calculations performed on this basis are in good agreement with available experimental data on the glass transition.