The invention generally relates to tempered glasses, in particular the invention relates to the chemical tempering of lithium aluminosilicate glasses. Chemical tempering or ion exchange by immersing a glass substrate into a potassium nitrate melt below the transformation temperature T_Gis generally known as a method to increase the strength of thin and very thin silicate or aluminosilicate glasses. Chemical tempering is preferably employed for sheets of glass having a thickness smaller than 4 mm. For special applications, thicker glass sheets may also be chemically tempered. In silicate or aluminosilicate glasses, an ion exchange typically only occurs between sodium ions in the glass and potassium ions in the salt melt. By such an exchange, surface compressive stresses with a depth of more than 80 Î¼m are only achieved in very long exchange times of generally more than 12 hours.

Furthermore, it is generally known that the depth of ion exchange depends on the time of immersion in the salt bath and the temperature of the salt bath. Higher temperatures and longer durations increase the exchange depth. However, the exchange depth is not identical with the zone of surface compressive stress. Depending on which and how many ions penetrate into the glass, a different zone of surface compressive stress can result in function of the Li content and sodium content and their proportion to each other and to other components of the glass substrate. Typically, however, the zone of surface compressive stress extends deeper into the glass than the depth of the exchanged ions.

Commonly manufactured chemically tempered glasses in the market, such as aluminosilicate glass, or common soda lime glass usually have a Na₂O content of more than 10% by weight, and by default are tempered in potassium nitrate salt baths at temperatures above 420Â° C., preferably about 430Â° C., and with tempering durations of more than 12 hours. The zone of surface compressive stress thereby reaches a depth of 30 to 70 Î¼m. The amount of surface tension is between about 550 MPa in tempered soda lime glass, or of about 750 MPa in aluminosilicate glass.

For applications as cover glasses, however, there is the problem that scratches may easily extend further into the glass than the zone of surface tension, which results in a considerable reduction of strength.

Also, for applications as front and side windows of railway vehicles and bullet-proof glazing for vehicles, variably adjustable penetration depths of more than 80 Î¼m and high strengths would be interesting, provided that acceptable short process times are feasible.

DE 196 16 633 C1 describes aluminosilicate glasses which, due to the chemical tempering, are suitable as substrate glasses for coating optical and magnetic storage media. Although deep toughened zones and high strengths are achievable in these glasses, long treatment durations of more than 12 hours in the salt melt and high temperatures of above 420Â° C. are required.

DE 196 16 679 C1 describes the chemical tempering of an aluminosilicate glass using a potassium nitrate melt at temperatures from 350Â° C. to 500Â° C. Although, according to Table 3, the described glass after about 1.5 hours of treatment exhibits a surface tension of 880 MPa, the thickness of the zone of compressive stress is only about 15 Î¼m. To obtain a zone of compressive stress of 105 Î¼m requires 15 hours of treatment in the salt melt.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,156,755 A describes Li₂O containing aluminosilicate glasses for the ion exchange. Although it was possible with this glass to obtain zones of compressive stress with thicknesses of more than 80 Î¼m in short times, the surface tension is not more than 600 MPa.

From EP 0 884 289 B1, a lithium aluminosilicate glass for vehicles is known which also may be chemically tempered. The Li₂O content is from 3 to 4.5% by weight, and the Na₂O content is between 6 and 13% by weight. According to Table 7 this glass, after 8 hours in a sodium nitrate melt of 380Â° C., achieves a zone of compressive stress of 80 Î¼m thickness, but the surface tension is only 2600 kg/cm², which corresponds to about 255 MPa. Even after 64 hours in the melt, the tension is only 3450 kg/cm²corresponding to 339 MPa, with a thickness of surface tension of 30 Î¼m, so that significantly thinner surface tension zones must be assumed in case of shorter times.

US 2007/0060465 A1 describes the chemical tempering of various lithium aluminosilicate glasses with a Li₂O content from 3 to 9% and an Na₂O+K₂O content of not more than 3%. The described glasses are exposed to temperatures between 450Â° C. and the annealing point.

WO 2010 005 578 A1 describes chemical tempering of aluminosilicate glasses for multiple times to provide a maximum of surface tension at a specific depth. Only the repeated tempering (single or mixed melts) and durations of significantly more than 8 hours result in zones of compressive stress with depths of more than 80 Î¼m. Moreover, the obtained compressive stress, according to Table II, Example 13, with a depth of the zone of compressive stress of 81 Î¼m is only 546 MPa. The process time to achieve such a compressive stress is more than 23 hours.

While during chemical tempering, generally, high inter-diffusion coefficients in the ion exchange of ions having similar ionic radii result in deeper exchange depths in a relatively short time, the exchange with ions whose radius is significantly larger than the radius of the ion to be exchanged results in a stronger influence on the short-range order and thus to an increase of the surface compressive stress. This effect is stronger, the greater the difference of the two radii. An adjustment of the exchange depth with short process times is therefore made through a lithium-sodium cation exchange. However, if very high surface compressive stresses are required, the exchange may be realized with the cations of the heavier alkali metals. In this case, however, in function of the predetermined exchange depth and the cation used, long processing times and high process temperatures must be taken into account.

It will be evident from this discussion of the prior art that the glasses and methods for chemical tempering known from prior art do not permit quick tempering at moderate temperatures leading to a deep surface tension zone with a high level of surface tension.

Therefore, it is an object of the invention to provide such glasses, or chemically tempered articles produced from such glasses. This object is solved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments and refinements of the invention are set forth in the respective dependent claims. The invention provides a material for future applications as cover glasses and windows for vehicles, which is distinguished by a reduction of the tempering time and tempering temperature and simultaneously achieves an increase of the surface tension.

A chemically tempered glass article according to the invention, preferably in form of a glass sheet, is made of a lithium aluminosilicate glass, wherein the glass in addition to SiO₂and Al₂O₃which are characteristic for lithium aluminosilicate glass comprises:

Li₂O as a component with 4.6 to 5.4% by weight; and

Na₂O as a component with 8.1 to 9.7% by weight; and wherein

the glass due to the chemical tempering has a zone of compressive stress at the surface; and

the zone of compressive stress extends to a depth of at least 50 micrometers, preferably at least 80 micrometers into the glass, and wherein in the zone of compressive stress lithium ions are at least in part exchanged by other alkali ions; and wherein

the zone of compressive stress exhibits a level of compressive stress of at least 600 MPa, preferably at least 800 MPa.

The measurements of strength were performed and determined using the double ring method according to EN 1288-5.

The surface tension or compressive stress in the zone of compressive stress can be determined photoelastically. To this end the glass samples are cut, and the surfaces are polished perpendicular to the viewing direction. Then the compressive stress in the surface can be determined by means of a microscope and various compensating elements.

The thickness/depth of the zone of compressive stress may also be determined photoelastically, at the cuts.

For the measurements of the exchange depth, Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) depth profiles of the alkali ions can be measured.

Glasses that have been found particularly suitable for the purpose of the invention have the following composition:

58 to 65% by weight of SiO₂;

16 to 20% by weight of Al₂O₃;

preferably 0.1 to 1% by weight of B₂O₃;

4.6 to 5.4% by weight of Li₂O;

8.1 to 9.7% by weight of Na₂O;

0.05 to 1.0% by weight of K₂O;

0.2 to 2.0% by weight of CaO;

2.5 to 5.0% by weight of ZrO₂; and optionally one or more of the components SnO₂, CeO₂, P₂O₅, and ZnO in a total proportion from 0 to 2.5% by weight.

A preferred composition range is:

60 to 62% by weight of SiO₂;

17.5 to 19.5% by weight of Al₂O₃;

0.5 to 0.7% by weight of B₂O₃;

4.8 to 5.2% by weight of Li₂O;

8.5 to 9.5% by weight of Na₂O;

0.2 to 0.5% by weight of K₂O;

0.5 to 1.2% by weight of CaO;

3.2 to 3.8% by weight of ZrO₂; and

SnO₂, CeO₂, P₂O₅, and ZnO in a total proportion from 0.25 to 1.6% by weight.

Particularly preferable for obtaining a deep zone of compressive stress with a high level of compressive stress already at comparatively low temperatures of the salt melt is the following composition:

61 to 62% by weight of SiO₂;

17.5 to 18.5% by weight of Al₂O₃;

0.5 to 0.7% by weight of B₂O₃;

4.9 to 5.1% by weight of Li₂O;

8.8 to 9.3% by weight of Na₂O;

0.2 to 0.5% by weight of K₂O;

0.5 to 1.2% by weight of CaO;

3.2 to 3.8% by weight of ZrO₂; and

SnO₂, CeO₂, P₂O₅, and ZnO in a total proportion from 0.5 to 1.0% by weight.

The invention especially allows to temper float glass panes having the corresponding compositions. In this refinement the tempered glass, accordingly, then has two non-polished surfaces. In other words, the top and bottom sides are not mechanically polished. Specifically, one surface is formed by fire polishing, the other is formed by flowing onto a liquid tin bath. A float glass pane may thus be identified by the fire-polished surface on the one hand, and by the tin impurities of the opposite side.

With the glasses as mentioned above, it is now possible to chemically temper the glass at temperatures below 420Â° C. and within a time of not more than 8 hours using one or more alkali-containing salt melt(s), preferably alkali nitrate melt(s). The obtained glasses may preferably be used as a cover glass for mobile communication devices, digital cameras, digital photo frames, personal digital assistants (PDAs), as a cover glass for solar energy devices, or as substrates for touch panel displays. Particularly preferred applications include bullet-proof glazing for ground vehicles as well as front and side windows for high speed trains. To achieve a thickness of the zone of compressive stress of more than 50 Î¼m, preferably more than 80Î¼m, and surface tensions, or compressive stresses in the zone of compressive stress of more than 800 MPa, the process times in the salt melt, if necessary, may be reduced to not more than 4 hours, even to not more than 3 hours.

Accordingly, the invention also provides a method for producing a chemically tempered glass article, wherein a glass is provided which in addition to SiO₂and Al₂O₃comprises

Li₂O as a component with 4.6 to 5.4% by weight; and

Na₂O as a component with 8.1 to 9.7% by weight; and wherein

the glass article is stored in an alkali-containing salt melt to exchange alkali ions of the glass with larger alkali ions of the salt melt and so to build up a zone of compressive stress at the surface of the glass article, so that a chemically tempered glass is obtained; wherein

storing in the alkali-containing salt melt lasts for a time of not more than 8 hours; and wherein

the temperature of the salt melt during storage of the glass article does not exceed 420Â° C.; and wherein

a zone of compressive stress having a depth of at least 50 micrometers; and

a compressive stress of at least 600 MPa is built up.

Several of the publications mentioned in the introductory part specify a certain proportion of Li₂O or Na₂O for the chemical tempering using alkali nitrates in order to achieve appropriate surface tensions and zones of compressive stress. Although previously surface tensions greater than 800 MPa have been produced, this was not in conjunction with a zone of compressive stress having a depth of more than 80 Î¼m, and not within 8 h and below 430Â° C. Though US 2007/60465 Al describes glasses with high levels of surface tension and deep tension zones, these are achieved at high temperatures of more than 450Â° C. and with Na₂O contents of less than 3% by weight. However, at these temperatures toxic nitrate vapors are already produced which impede normal processing. Furthermore, the high temperatures incur higher processing costs than temperatures of about 430Â° C. or below 420Â° C. Moreover, the process window gets very narrow, since in this case the annealing point of the glass is near the treatment temperature. Approaching the annealing temperature may result in a stress relief. Thus there is a risk for the compressive stress to become inhomogeneous.

In the study of lithium aluminosilicate glass substrates, a correlation was observed between the depth of the zone of compressive stress and the surface tension as well as the ions to be exchanged in chemical tempering.

In order to achieve depths of the zone of compressive stress of more than 80 Î¼m within not more than 8 hours of treatment duration, the ionic radius of the penetrating ions should not differ significantly from that of the ions to be exchanged to ensure a fast exchange. Additionally, the ionic radius of the penetrating ions should not be significantly larger than the ionic radius of the compounds included in the glass substrate.

Ideal partners for an exchange with sodium ions or potassium ions with a high penetration rate are the Li ion or the Na ion. The Li ion has an ionic radius of about 1.45 10^âˆ’10m, the Na ion has an ionic radius of about 1.8 10^âˆ’10m. Other constituents of the glass have the following radii:

Si ion about 1.1 10^âˆ’10m,

Al ion 1.25 10^âˆ’10m,

K ion 2.2 10^âˆ’10m, and

Zr ion 1.55 10^âˆ’10m.

The larger inter-diffusion coefficient between lithium and sodium compared to the inter-diffusion coefficient between sodium and potassium, and the small difference between the ionic radii of the sodium ion and the lithium ion as well as the other constituents of the glass allows a high penetration rate. This results in rapid penetration of the glass substrate. The sodium ions fit better into the voids of a smaller volume, and due to their small size their penetration is not affected so much as with larger ionic radii of the other alkali metals.

If a potassium containing salt melt is used, there is not only an exchange of lithium ions which reflects in a lower lithium concentration in the zone of compressive stress. In this case, additionally, there is found an elevated potassium concentration in the zone of compressive stress, at least within portions thereof, as compared to the interior of the glass.

In order to achieve depths of more than 80 Î¼m in an appropriate time of not more than 8 hours, the glass according to the invention should include at least a minimum proportion of Li₂O, preferably at least 4.6% by weight. More Li₂O leads to a faster exchange, however, a too high Li₂O content inhibits high surface tensions from building up. Therefore, on the other hand, the Li₂O content should not exceed 5.4% by weight. It has been found that with glasses having such lithium contents, surface tensions of more than 600 MPa or even more than 800 MPa can be achieved in short process times of not more than 8 hours.

According to the invention, an adjustment of the depth is preferably realized through the Liâ€”Na exchange. An exchange only with alkali ions larger than sodium results in an increase of temperature to above 430Â° C., or prolongs the time to more than 8 hours in order to achieve the desired penetration depths.

However, to achieve surface tensions of more than 800 MPa, it is preferably suggested by the invention to involve further alkali ions in the exchange. These suitably include, for example, the Na ion in the glass and the K ion in the salt melt. Also, a participation of Cs ions and Rb ions is possible. The significantly larger ions from the salt melt lead to a significant increase of stress at the surface, and thus to an increase of surface tension. The various documents mentioned above describe Na₂O contents of up to 3%, or of more than 10%. However, Na₂O contents of less than 3% require temperatures of more than 450Â° C. to achieve surface tensions of about 800 MPa, as described, e.g., in US 2007/0060465 A1. Though with Na₂O contents of more than 10% by weight, about 700 to 800 MPa can be achieved, however this is at temperatures around 430Â° C. and in times of more than 8 hours. Studies of the employed glasses have revealed that, in contrast thereto, with Na₂O contents from 8.1 to 9.6% by weight, surface tensions of more than 800 MPa may result at temperatures below 420Â° C. and in times of not more than 8 hours.

Therefore, in order to obtain surface tensions of more than 600 MPa or even more than 800 MPa and zones of surface compressive stress (also known as Depth of Layerâ€”DoL) with depths of more than 50 Î¼m or even more than 80 Î¼m at temperatures of the salt melt below 420Â° C. and within a treatment duration of not more than 8 hours, according to the invention the Li₂O content is selected between 4.6% and 5.4%, and the Na₂O content is selected between 8.1% and 9.7%.

It has been found that zones of compressive stress of more than 50 Î¼m thickness and surface tensions of more than 600 MPa can be achieved in not more than 8 hours of treatment in the salt melt, when chemically tempering the above mentioned glasses according to the invention for a single time in a preferably pure (at least 95% purity) NaNO₃melt at temperatures from 370Â° C. to 420Â° C. The tempering times herein are between 2h and 8h (see also Table 2 below; glasses 17 and 27). If, on the other hand, the glass substrate is tempered using a pure (at least 95% purity) KNO₃melt at temperatures from 380Â° C. to 400Â° C., surface tensions of up to 1000 MPa are produced, but only depths of the zone of compressive stress (DoL) of 10 to 28 Î¼m.

Accordingly, besides the compositions of the glasses used in chemical tempering, the choice of a respective melt and the process parameters such as temperature and exchange time are crucial for the desired material properties. As the above discussion demonstrates, the prior art allows only a limited combination of material properties, especially when short exchange times or low process temperatures are desired.

The method according to the invention, in contrast, allows to obtain both deep exchange depths and high levels of compressive stress within a relatively short time and at low process temperatures, in glasses with preferably the above mentioned compositions. This is preferably realized by exchanging at least two different alkali cation species, most preferably by a sequential process in which the glass article is successively chemically tempered in melts with different alkali cations. In this case, the first step preferably comprises a lithium-sodium exchange, while in the subsequent steps, preferably, melts with larger alkali cations are used. The method according to the invention thus provides an access to glasses with tailored properties.

In order to achieve surface tensions of more than 800 MPa and zones of compressive stress having a depth of more than 80 Î¼m within not more than 8 hours of treatment duration, it is advantageous to perform a second (pure melt or melt blend), third (pure melt or melt blend) or fourth (pure melt or melt blend) step with one/several other alkali-NO₃melts, wherein in this case the ionic radius of one of the alkali metals used in the second step should be larger than that in the first melt.

In the third or fourth step, the alkali ions may again be smaller than in the second step. Preferably in this case, potassium nitrate (KNO₃) should be used in the second step, but it is also possible to use other alkali metal salts. The temperatures employed in case of KNO₃are preferably between 380Â° C. and 420Â° C. Advantageously, treatment durations of a maximum of 6 hours suffice for step 1 in a NaNO₃melt. For step 2 using KNO₃or K₂SO₃, 2 hours or even less can be scheduled according to a refinement of the invention. Steps 3 and 4 which are, optionally, additionally performed can be kept shorter than one hour in total. Thus, the sum of all steps is less than 8 hours, as exemplified by glasses 17 and 27 described in Table 3.

In a refinement of the invention it is therefore contemplated to successively perform the chemical tempering of the glass article in at least two alkali salt melts of different composition, which differ in particular in the contained alkali metal species, wherein the glass article is stored in the melts for a maximum of 8 hours in total, the temperature in each of the salt melts during tempering is lower than 420Â° C., and wherein a zone of compressive stress with a depth of more than 80 Î¼m and a compressive stress of more than 800 MPa are obtained.

Another possibility to obtain surface tensions of more than 800 MPa and zones of compressive stress deeper than 80 Î¼m within a maximum of 8 hours of treatment duration is to use mixed melts. These melt blends include salts of different alkali metals, preferably different alkali metal nitrates. To ensure the high penetration depths it is favorable to have a content of at least 15 wt.-%, preferably from 15 to 25 wt.-%, more preferably of about 20% by weight of NaNO₃in the melt. The nitrate melt blend includes at least two different alkali ions, for example Na and K, or as well Na and Rb. But it is also possible that three or four different alkali metals are included.

Preferred melt blends are a mixture of NaNO₃and KNO₃. The temperatures used with NaNO₃/KNO₃are between 380Â° C. and 420Â° C. In this case, the time for the exchange process can also be kept at a maximum of 8 hours, as exemplified in Table 4 for glasses 17 and 27.

To achieve surface tensions of more than 1000 MPa, Rb ions or Cs ions may be used in chemical tempering. The method according to the invention thus offers the possibility to effectively incorporate alkali cations into the thus treated glass article, whose radii are significantly larger than the radius of the lithium cation, with short exchange times and relatively low process temperatures.

In order to obtain penetration depths of 50 Î¼m or 80 Î¼m and more in a short time, in particular in not more than 4 hours, according to the invention the alkali ion to be exchanged in the glass, Li₂O and/or Na₂O are present in sufficient quantities. The amount of Li₂O is preferably in a range from 4.8 wt.-% to 5.2 wt.-%, and the amount of Na₂O is preferably in a range from 8.5 wt.-% to 9,5 wt.-%.

These embodiments of the method according to the invention have in common that the chemical tempering of the glass article is performed in one or more melts, the melt(s) including at least two alkali ion species with different ionic radii.

In order to achieve exchange depths of more than 50 Î¼m and surface tensions of more than 600 MPa within a maximum of 4 hours, it is also possible to temper the glass articles according to the invention for a single time in a pure (at least 95% purity) NaNO₃melt at temperatures from 380Â° C. to 390Â° C. (see Table 2; glasses 19 and 25). The tempering times for obtaining such zones of compressive stress, in this case, are only between 2 and 4 hours. If the glass substrate is tempered using a pure (at least 95% purity) KNO₃melt at temperatures from 380Â° C. to 400Â° C., surface tensions of up to 1000 MPa are obtained, but only DoLs from 10 Î¼m to 28 Î¼m.

However, to achieve even a surface tension of more than 800 MPa with zones of compressive stress deeper than 80 Î¼in not more than 4 hours, it is proposed to perform a second (pure melt or melt blend), optionally yet a third (pure melt or melt blend), optionally yet a fourth (pure melt or melt blend) step using one/several other alkali-NO₃melts. It is advantageous in this case if the ionic radius of one type of the alkali ions in the melt employed in the second step is larger than in the first melt.

In the third or fourth step, the alkali ions may again be smaller than in the second step. Preferably, KNO₃is used as a constituent of the melt in the second step, but it is also possible to use other alkali metal salts. The temperatures used with KNO₃are preferably between 380Â° C. and 400Â° C.

To achieve fast tempering and a deep reaching zone of compressive stress, the following parameters are preferred:

The tempering duration in the first step in a NaNO₃melt is not more than 2 hours;

the tempering duration in the second step using a KNO₃melt is not more than 1.5 hours;

the duration of the third and fourth steps is less than 0.5 hours in total.

In Table 3, glass 19 and glass 25 are given as examples for such a process.

Another possibility to obtain surface tensions>800 MPa and penetration depths>80 Î¼m in less than 4 h is to use so-called melt blends. These mixed melts are composed of different alkali metal nitrates. To ensure the high penetration depths, an alkali metal salt melt with at least 15 wt.-%, preferably from 15 to 25 wt.-%, more preferably about 20 wt.-% of NaNO₃is used. The nitrate melt blend includes at least two different alkali ion species, for example Na and K, or as well Na and Rb. However, it may include 3 or 4 different alkali metals.

Preferred melt blends are mixtures of NaNO₃and KNO₃. The temperatures used for NaNO₃/KNO₃are between 380Â° C. and 400Â° C. The time required for the exchange process is less than 4 h (see Table 4; glasses 19 and 25).

Particularly short treatment times of 4 hours or less may be achieved as follows:

In order to achieve penetration depths of 50 Î¼m or 80 Î¼m and more in a short time of not more than 3 hours, again a glass is used which comprises the alkali ion to be exchanged in the glass, Li or Na, in a sufficient quantity. Therefore, the amount of Li₂O is preferably from 4.9 wt.-% to 5.1 wt.-%, and the amount of Na₂O is preferably between 8.8 wt.-% and 9,5 wt.-%.

In order to obtain exchange depths>50 Î¼m and surface tensions >600 MPa in less than 3 hours, the above-mentioned glass bodies may be chemically tempered in a pure (at least 95% purity) NaNO₃melt for a single time, at temperatures from 380Â° C. to 385Â° C. The tempering time may even be reduced to two to three hours. An example is given in Table 2 for glass 22. When the glass substrate is tempered using a pure (at least 95% purity) KNO₃melt at temperatures from 380Â° C. to 400Â° C., surface tensions of up to 1000 MPa are obtained, but only DoLs (depths of the zones of compressive stress) from 10 Î¼m to 28 Î¼m.

To achieve even a surface tension of more than 750 MPa, preferably more than 800 MPa, and zones of compressive stress of a thickness or depth of more than 80 Î¼m in not more than 3 hours, the invention in one embodiment thereof contemplates to perform of the chemical tempering of the glass article in at least two steps in alkali salt melts of different compositions, with a salt being used in a second salt melt which includes alkali ions having a larger ionic radius than the alkali ions of the melt used in the first step, wherein the temperature of the melts during tempering is less than 400Â° C. In this case, the total storage time of the glass article in all salt melts is not more than 3 hours.

Specifically, in a refinement of this embodiment of the invention, the second step in a pure melt or melt blend is followed by a third step in a pure melt or melt blend, and optionally by a fourth step in a pure melt or melt blend. Preferably, alkali nitrate melts are used, wherein the ionic radius of one species of the alkali ions used in the second step, according to yet another refinement of the invention, is larger than that of the first melt.

In the third or fourth step, the alkali ions may again be smaller than in the second step. Preferably, here, a potassium salt, more preferably KNO₃may be used as a second step, but it is also possible to use other alkali metal salts, alternatively or additionally. The temperatures used with KNO₃are preferably between 380Â° C. and 390Â° C. The following parameters have been found to be advantageous in this embodiment of the method according to the invention: In the first step in a NaNO₃melt, the exchange time in the melt is not more than 1.5 hours. For the second step a KNO₃melt is used, in which case the storage time in the melt is not more than 1.0 hours. The duration of steps 3 and 4 is less than 0.5 hours in total. An example for this method is given in Table 3 for glass 22.

Another possibility to obtain surface tensions or levels of compressive stress in the zone of compressive stress of more than 800 MPa and penetration depths or zones of compressive stress having a depth of more than 80 Î¼m within 3 hours or less is to use so-called melt blends. These mixed melts are composed of different alkali metal salts, preferably alkali metal nitrates. To ensure the high penetration depths, preferably at least 15% by weight of NaNO₃is used in the melt. The nitrate melt blend includes at least two different alkali ions, for example Na and K, or as well Na and Rb. However, it may include 3 or 4 different alkali metals. A temperature of less than 400Â° C. is generally sufficient to establish a zone of compressive stress as mentioned above.

Preferred melt blends for this purpose are mixtures of NaNO₃and KNO₃. The temperatures used with such a NaNO₃â€”KNO₃melt are preferably between 380Â° C. and 390Â° C. The exchange process for obtaining a zone of compressive stress with a level of more than 800 MPa of compressive stress and a depth of the zone of compressive stress of more than 80 Î¼m requires a time of not more than 3 hours. An example for this method is given in Table 4 for glass 22.

Now, the attached tables with the exemplary embodiments will be explained in detail. Table 1 shows compositions for 16 glasses which can be used for the invention. The compositions are given in percent by weight. Furthermore given are the density p, the linear thermal expansion coefficient Î±, the glass transition temperature Tg, and the temperatures at which the viscosity Î· of the glass is 10⁴PaÂ·s, 10^7.6PaÂ·s, and 10¹³PaÂ·s, and the modulus of elasticity, shear modulus, and Knoop hardness.

In addition, the ion-exchange conditions are indicated. Specifically, potassium nitrate, sodium nitrate, or potassium nitrate/sodium nitrate melt blends were used in these exemplary embodiments. The proportions of KNO₃and NaNO₃in the melt composition are each indicated in percent by weight. Furthermore, the respective temperatures of the salt melts are listed.

In all cases, the tempering duration was 8 hours.

Glasses 1 through 4 were tempered in pure sodium nitrate melts. For glasses 5 through 8, a pure potassium nitrate melt was used, and for glasses 9 through 16 a sodium nitrate/potassium nitrate melt blend.

The highest compressive stresses were obtained in glasses 5 to 8, i.e. glasses that were tempered in a potassium nitrate melt. Also the flexural strength (â€œModulus of Ruptureâ€ â€”MOR) exhibits the highest levels in these glasses. Surprisingly, however, the other glasses exhibit advantageous mechanical properties that make them particularly suitable for glazing of high-speed railway vehicles, among other uses.

For the field of vehicle glazing, such as for high-speed trains or glazing for bullet-proof vehicles, the glasses must pass a variety of tests.

The windshield glass of high-speed trains must resist the so-called Rock Strike test (RS942612). This test is intended to simulate stone chipping at high speeds. A pointed aluminum profile with a weight of 20 g is fired at the glass sheet with 400 km/h. The glass must not break.

Table 1 indicates the maximum realized speed to which these glasses resist in the above-described rock strike test, for glass 7, glass 11, and glass 15. Surprisingly, glasses 11 and 15, with 440 km/h and 540 km/h, respectively, resist to much higher speeds than glass 7 with 290 km/h, although glass 7 exhibits a significantly higher compressive stress (870 MPa, as compared to 730 MPa for glass 11, and 799 MPa for glass 15). The better resistance of glasses 11 and 15 is due to the deep zone of compressive stress according to the invention. While the exchange depths in glasses 11 and 15 according to the invention exceed 80 Î¼m (92 Î¼m in glass 11, and 87 Î¼m in glass 15), the exchange depth in glass 7 is only 16 Î¼m.

Table 2 shows the properties of glass articles according to the invention after a single-step chemical tempering of different durations in an NaNO₃melt. Glass 27 has the lowest contents of Li₂O and Na₂O. In this glass, a compressive stress of 600 MPa is just reached after 8 hours in the melt. Even glass 17 with the highest contents of Li₂O and Na₂O requires a tempering duration of about 8 hours in this melt to obtain a compressive stress of 600 MPa.

The glasses having average contents of Li₂O and Na₂O can even be tempered faster. For example in glass 22 having a Li₂O content of 5 wt.-% and a Na₂O content of 9.48 wt.-%, a high level of compressive stress of 650 MPa is already achieved after 3 hours of storage in the salt melt. In each of the glasses, accordingly, a single-step chemical tempering in the NaNO₃melt at temperatures in a range from 370Â° C. to 420Â° C. established a zone of compressive stress of more than 50 Î¼m thickness with a surface tension of more than 600 MPa within a maximum of 8 hours of treatment in the salt melt.

Table 3 shows the mechanical properties of the glasses also listed in Table 2 after a two-step chemical tempering. The glasses were tempered in a first step in a NaNO₃melt, and in a subsequent, second step in a KNO₃melt. Accordingly, here, chemical tempering of the glass articles was performed in a plurality of melts, wherein the melts included at least two alkali ion species with different ionic radii. Specifically, chemical tempering of the glass article was performed successively in two alkali salt melts of different compositions which differed in the included alkali metal species, and the glass article was stored in the melts for a maximum of 8 hours in total.

The durations of storage were varied as indicated in Table 3. As can be seen from Table 3, in all glasses a compressive stress of more than 700 MPa, in particular also more than 800 MPa and a depth of the zone of compressive stress of more than 80 Î¼m is achieved by the two-step tempering which uses a salt in the second salt melt that comprises alkali ions which have a larger ionic radius than the alkali ions of the melt used in the first step (K ions versus Na ion), at melt temperatures of less than 400Â° C., and within 8 hours.

In glass 22, even a surface tension of more than 800 MPa (841 MPa) and a zone of compressive stress of a thickness of more than 80 Î¼m (82 Î¼) could be built up at a temperature of the salt melt of less than 400Â° C. and within a total time of storage of the glass article in all salt melts of not more than 3 hours.

Moreover, it can be seen that in the glasses according to the invention the compressive stress even decreases again with tempering times of more than 8 hours.

Table 4 lists exemplary embodiments of the invention, in which a surface tension of more than 800 MPa and zones of compressive stress deeper than 80 Î¼m are obtained in less than 8 hours of treatment duration by using a melt blend for chemical tempering, wherein the melt blend comprises salts of different alkali metals and has a content of at least 20 percent by weight of NaNO₃. The same glass compositions were used as in the exemplary embodiments of Tables 2 and 3. For the salt melt, a mixture of 20 wt.-% of sodium nitrate and 80 wt.-% of potassium nitrate was used.

Specifically, in all glasses a zone of compressive stress of more than 80Î¼m corresponding to the measured exchange depth and a level of compressive stress of more than 800 MPa was achieved in the melt blend within a maximum of 8 hours of tempering duration and at temperatures of less than 400Â° C. Here, similarly to the exemplary embodiments listed in Table 3, it can be seen that with longer treatment durations of 12 hours, although the zone of compressive stress is somewhat deepening, the compressive stress even decreases again.

Glasses 19, 22, and 25 achieve a level of surface tension of more than 800 MPa with depths of the zone of compressive stress of more than 80 Î¼m already after 4 hours of tempering duration. In glass 22, these levels are even reached after 3 hours of storage in the melt.

From the above examples it will be clear that glasses according to the invention having contents of Li and Na according to the invention can be tempered particularly quickly with deep zones of compressive stress when using a sodium containing salt melt, preferably a sodium nitrate containing salt melt for the chemical tempering of the glass article.

TABLE 2different glass compositions and properties after single-step chemical tempering of different duration using NaN0₃glass 17glass 18glass 19glass 20glass 21glass 22glass 23glass 24glass 25glass 26glass 27glass composition [wt.-%]Si0₂61.861.961.861.961.961.962.062.061.962.062.0B₂0₃0.150.150.150.150.20.20.20.30.50.60.6Al₂0₃17.917.817.917.817.917.917.817.817.817.817.8Li₂05.45.35.25.15.0554.954.94.84.74.6Na₂09.79.69.69.59.59.489.458.858.58.18.1K₂00.070.0750.070.0750.080.10.150.20.30.40.4P₂0₅0.030.050.030.050.0750.10.150.20.30.40.4Mg0â€”â€”â€”â€”â€”â€”â€”â€”0.020.030.03Ca00.60.70.60.70.750.80.850.0911.21.3Sr00.070.080.070.080.090.10.110.120.140.180.18Zr0₂3.53.53.63.63.63.63.63.73.73.73.7Zn00.070.080.070.080.080.080.090.110.130.160.16Sn0₂0.050.050.10.10.10.10.10.10.10.10.15Ce0₂0.050.050.10.10.10.10.10.10.120.160.2Fe₂0₃0.10.10.10.10.10.10.0950.090.080.070.07chemical tempering:with 99% NaNO₃380Â° C. 3 hsurface tension570 MPa587 MPa650 MPa610 MPa560 MPaMOR540 MPa568 MPa607 MPa594 MPa521 MPaexchange depth90 Î¼m^â€‰91 Î¼m^â€‰89 Î¼m^â€‰70 Î¼m^â€‰63 Î¼m^â€‰with 99% NaNO₃380Â° C. 4 hsurface tension580 MPa620 MPa640 MPa615 MPa580 MPaMOR546 MPa571 MPa604 MPa578 MPa536 MPaexchange depth110 Î¼mâ€‚^â€‰99 Î¼m^â€‰92 Î¼m^â€‰86 Î¼m^â€‰80 Î¼m^â€‰with 99% NaNO₃380Â° C. 8 hsurface tension610 MPa602 MPa600 MPa603 MPa600 MPaMOR579 MPa562 MPa576 MPa553 MPa514 MPaexchange depth140 Î¼mâ€‚^â€‰132 Î¼mâ€‚^â€‰119 Î¼mâ€‚^â€‰112 Î¼mâ€‚^â€‰110 Î¼mâ€‚^â€‰with 99% NaNO₃380Â° C. 12 hsurface tension540 MPa550 MPa550 MPa540 MPa530 MPaMOR529 MPa532 MPa535 MPa521 MPa507 MPaexchange depth170 Î¼mâ€‚^â€‰159 Î¼mâ€‚^â€‰150 Î¼mâ€‚^â€‰142 Î¼mâ€‚^â€‰135 Î¼mâ€‚^â€‰

TABLE 1GLASSES (laboratory melts)12345678910111213141516composition wt.-%SiO₂61.861.962.061.961.861.962.061.961.861.962.061.961.861.962.061.9B₂O₃0.150.200.30.50.150.200.30.50.150.200.30.50.150.200.30.5AL₂O₃17.917.917.817.817.917.917.817.817.917.917.817.817.917.917.817.8Li₂O5.155.054.904.905.155.054.904.905.155.054.904.905.155.054.904.90Na₂O9.79.58.98.59.79.58.98.59.79.58.98.59.79.58.98.5K₂O0.070.080.0950.10.070.080.0950.10.070.080.0950.10.070.080.0950.1P₂O₅0.030.0750.20.30.030.0750.20.30.030.0750.20.30.030.0750.20.3MgOâ€”â€”â€”0.02â€”â€”â€”0.02â€”â€”â€”0.02â€”â€”â€”0.02CaO0.60.750.910.60.750.910.60.750.910.60.750.91SrO0.070.090.120.140.070.090.120.140.070.090.120.140.070.090.120.14ZnO0.070.080.110.130.070.080.110.130.070.080.110.130.070.080.110.13ZrO₂3.603.603.703.803.603.603.703.803.603.603.703.803.603.603.703.80CeO₂0.10.10.10.120.10.10.10.120.10.10.10.120.10.10.10.12SnO₂0.10.10.10.10.10.10.10.10.10.10.10.10.10.10.10.1Fe₂O₃0.10.10.090.080.10.10.090.080.10.10.090.080.10.10.090.08Ï g Â· cm^âˆ’32.48802.48842.48052.47632.48802.48842.48052.47632.48802.48842.48052.47632.48802.48842.48052.4763Î± 10^âˆ’6K^âˆ’18.708.508.38.28.708.508.38.28.708.508.38.28.708.508.38.2Tg Â° C.5025055205255025055205255.025055205255.02505520525IgÎ· = 41060106610741089106010661074108910601066107410891060106610741089IgÎ· = 7.6715718726737715718726737715718726737715718726737IgÎ· = 13512515522536512515522536512515522536512515522536modulus of elasticity GPa83.583.384.683.783.583.384.683.783.583.384.683.783.583.384.683.7shear modulus GPa6434.134.133.86434.134.133.86434.134.133.86434.134.133.8Knoop hardness640650640630640650640630640650640630640650640630ion-exchange conditionsNaNO₃mol-%1001001001005050505020202020KNO₃mol-%1001001001005050505080808080temperature Â° C.380380380380390390390390385385385385390390390390compressive stress [MPa]600608604600910905870850754755730701840821799790exchange depth Î¼m13211510910021181614110999287101948781MOR MPa562576554514850855800795720725701650799758764732rock strike test290440540max. speed withoutbreaking km/h

TABLE 3properties of different glasses after two-step chemical temperingglass 17glass 18glass 19glass 20glass 21glass 22glass 23glass 24glass 25glass 26glass 27glass compositionSi0₂61.861.961.861.961.961.962.062.061.962.062.0B₂0₃0.150.150.150.150.20.20.20.30.50.60.6Al₂0₃17.917.817.917.817.917.917.817.817.817.817.8Li₂05.45.35.25.15.0554.954.94.84.74.6Na₂09.79.69.69.59.59.489.458.858.58.18.1K₂00.070.0750.070.0750.080.10.150.20.30.40.4P₂0₅0.030.050.030.050.0750.10.150.20.30.40.4Mg0â€”â€”â€”â€”â€”â€”â€”â€”0.020.030.03Ca00.60.70.60.70.750.80.850.0911.21.3Sr00.070.080.070.080.090.10.110.120.140.180.18Zr0₂3.53.53.63.63.63.63.63.73.73.73.7Zn00.070.080.070.080.080.080.090.110.130.160.16Sn0₂0.050.050.10.10.10.10.10.10.10.10.15Ce0₂0.050.050.10.10.10.10.10.10.120.160.2Fe₂0₃0.10.10.10.10.10.10.0950.090.080.070.07with 99% NaNO₃390Â° C. 2 h (1^ststep), and with 99% KNO₃390Â° C. 1 h (2^ndstep)surface tension764 MPa788 MPa841 MPa743 MPa732 MPaMOR715 MPa738 MPa812 MPa709 MPa696 MPazone of compressive88 Î¼m^â€‰85 Î¼m^â€‰82 Î¼m^â€‰80 Î¼m^â€‰63 Î¼m^â€‰stresswith 99% NaNO₃390Â° C. 2 h (1^ststep), and with 99% KNO₃390Â° C. 1.5 h (2^ndstep)surface tension784 MPa811 MPa823 MPa804 MPa761 MPaMOR732 MPa762 MPa793 MPa765 MPa722 MPazone of compressive88 Î¼m^â€‰85 Î¼m^â€‰81 Î¼m^â€‰80 Î¼m^â€‰70 Î¼m^â€‰stresswith 99% NaNO₃390Â° C. 4 h (1^ststep), and with 99% KNO₃390Â° C. 3 h (2^ndstep)surface tension808 MPa803 MPa811 MPa804 MPa803 MPaMOR754 MPa749 MPa771 MPa758 MPa776 MPazone of compressive116 Î¼mâ€‚^â€‰107 Î¼mâ€‚^â€‰101 Î¼mâ€‚^â€‰90 Î¼m^â€‰85 Î¼m^â€‰stresswith 99% NaNO₃390Â° C. 4 h (1^ststep), and with 99% KNO₃390Â° C. 6 h (2^ndstep)surface tension793 MPa786 MPa774 MPa770 MPa775 MPaMOR743 MPa748 MPa753 MPa734 MPa742 MPazone of compressive115 Î¼mâ€‚^â€‰107 Î¼mâ€‚^â€‰103 Î¼mâ€‚^â€‰90 Î¼m^â€‰85 Î¼m^â€‰stress

TABLE 4properties of different glasses after two-step chemical temperingglass 17glass 18glass 19glass 20glass 21glass 22glass 23glass 24glass 25glass 26glass 27chemical compositionSi0₂61.861.961.861.961.961.962.062.061.962.062.0B₂0₃0.150.150.150.150.20.20.20.30.50.60.6Al₂0₃17.917.817.917.817.917.917.817.817.817.817.8Li₂05.45.35.25.15.0554.954.94.84.74.6Na₂09.79.69.69.59.59.489.458.858.58.18.1K₂00.070.0750.070.0750.080.10.150.20.30.40.4P₂0₅0.030.050.030.050.0750.10.150.20.30.40.4Mg0â€”â€”â€”â€”â€”â€”â€”â€”0.020.030.03Ca00.60.70.60.70.750.80.850.0911.21.3Sr00.070.080.070.080.090.10.110.120.140.180.18Zr0₂3.53.53.63.63.63.63.63.73.73.73.7Zn00.070.080.070.080.080.080.090.110.130.160.16Sn0₂0.050.050.10.10.10.10.10.10.10.10.15Ce0₂0.050.050.10.10.10.10.10.10.120.160.2Fe₂0₃0.10.10.10.10.10.10.0950.090.080.070.0720% NaNO₃& 80% KNO₃390Â° C. 3 hsurface tension763 MPa787 MPa836 MPa770 MPa761 MPaMOR700 MPa712 MPa754 MPa724 MPa709 MPazone of compressive stress82 Î¼m^â€‰80 Î¼m^â€‰80 Î¼m^â€‰63 Î¼m^â€‰50 Î¼m^â€‰20% NaNO₃& 80% KNO₃390Â° C. 4 hsurface tension785 MPa803 MPa822 MPa805 MPa783 MPaMOR730 MPa758 MPa782 MPa761 MPa737 MPazone of compressive stress100 Î¼mâ€‚^â€‰91 Î¼m^â€‰87 Î¼m^â€‰81 Î¼m^â€‰65 Î¼m^â€‰20% NaNO₃& 80% KNO₃390Â° C. 8 hsurface tension814 MPa810 MPa815 MPa784 MPa803 MPaMOR759 MPa765 MPa787 MPa743 MPa745 MPazone of compressive stress120 Î¼mâ€‚^â€‰118 Î¼mâ€‚^â€‰102 Î¼mâ€‚^â€‰99 Î¼m^â€‰82 Î¼m^â€‰20% NaNO₃& 80% KNO₃390Â° C. 12 hsurface tension799 MPa783 MPa768 MPa741 MPa729 MPaMOR745 MPa752 MPa739 MPa731 MPa699 MPazone of compressive stress150 Î¼mâ€‚^â€‰142 Î¼mâ€‚^â€‰120 Î¼mâ€‚^â€‰109 Î¼mâ€‚^â€‰105 Î¼mâ€‚^â€‰