flux

A flux is a material that lowers the melting temperature of another material.

Kiln-formed glass artists use flux to reduce devitrification. Hot glass artists, such as glass blowers, include a flux within their glass batch to reduce the cost of melting.

Borax is one example of a flux.  Soda (or potash) is a common flux used for glass and is one of the three primary ingredients (along with silica/sand and lime) in soda lime glass.