Effect of Electric Field Assisted Ion Exchange Process on Chemical Tempering Efficiency

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Paşalar Ö. D., Ersundu A. E., Çelikbilek Ersundu M.

Şişecam 37th International Glass Conference, İstanbul, Türkiye, 17 - 18 Kasım 2022, ss.1, (Özet Bildiri)

  • Yayın Türü: Bildiri / Özet Bildiri
  • Basıldığı Şehir: İstanbul
  • Basıldığı Ülke: Türkiye
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.1
  • Yıldız Teknik Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Glass, once primarily used in daily life, now plays a crucial role in advanced technologies such as space exploration and defense due to technological advancements. With the growing production volume of glass and the ongoing energy crisis, there is an increasing need for innovative solutions to improve glass strength and manufacturing processes. The two primary methods for strengthening glass are thermal and chemical tempering, with chemical tempering being particularly suitable for high-tech applications due to its effectiveness on thinner glasses and the high strength it provides.

Chemical tempering is a diffusion-based process where free alkali ions in the glass are replaced with larger alkali ions, creating surface compression stress that prevents crack growth. The process depends on factors like temperature, time, glass structure, and salt composition, and can also be influenced by external factors such as electric fields, microwaves, and radiation, which can enhance the process and result in stronger glass.

This study investigates the effect of an electric field-assisted ion exchange process on chemical tempering efficiency. Thin soda-lime-silicate flat glasses (1.1 mm thick) from Şişecam Trakya Cam Sanayi A.Ş. were subjected to electric field-assisted chemical tempering. Results showed that applying an electric field reduced the duration of the tempering process, lowering energy consumption while improving mechanical properties compared to conventional methods. The study found that while the electric field did not affect surface compressive stress, it significantly improved the depth of the tempered layer and provided higher compressive stress values compared to conventional tempering.