Experimental survey of the chemical durability of
commercial soda-lime-silicate glasses
Christopher W. Sinton*, William C. LaCourse
New York State College of Ceramics, Alfred University, Alfred, NY 14802, USA
(Refereed)
Received 10 April 2001; accepted 11 July 2001
Abstract
We present the results of durability experiments on commercial and experimental soda-lime-silica
glasses. Glasses were subjected to a simple, short-duration alkali leaching experiment after which the
K and Na concentrations in the leachate were measured. Our results show that Na is preferentially
leached over K from the glass. A multiple variable linear regression was applied to the data to produce
a predictive durability model based on glass composition. The model shows that, within the range of
the tested compositions, only Al
2
O
3
significantly increases durability while Na
2
O and K
2
O decrease
durability, with Na
2
O apparently having a greater effect. Our model, together with a previously
published model for chemical strengthening, and composition/viscosity models can be used to
formulate a durable glass optimized for rapid Na-K ion exchange strengthening. Specifically, our
observations indicate that the replacement of K
2
O for Na
2
O in the glass will increase the exchange rate
and increase durability. © 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Keywords: A. glasses; D. diffusion
1. Introduction
The durability of a glass refers to its ability to withstand dissolution in a given environ-
ment (usually aqueous). Although glass durability is an important consideration in waste
vitrification, it is also a concern in the commercial soda-lime-silica glass (SLS) industry.
High durability is desired because even minor surface dissolution can lead to surface
roughness and degradation of the optical quality of the glass [1]. However, increasing the
* Corresponding author. Tel.: 607-871-2642; Fax: 607-871-2618.
E-mail address: sintoncw@alfred.edu (C.W. Sinton).
Pergamon Materials Research Bulletin 36 (2001) 2471–2479
0025-5408/01/$ – see front matter © 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
PII: S0025-5408(01)00724-3