Experimental survey of the chemical durability of commercial soda-lime-silicate glasses

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.