On the sensitivity of optical and mechanical characteristics of the Na+-Ag+ exchange process in soda-lime silicate glass

The Vickers hardness number and the crack-formation resistance were determined for soda-lime silicate glass subjected to chemical treatment in an AgNO3 bath. The effectiveness of the induced Na+ = Ag+ ionic exchange process was modified by thermal annealing of the exchanged specimens in air and gaseous hydrogen. It was found that the formation of colloidal silver particles induces a distinct yellow-brownish coloration and an increase in the crack formation resistance of chemically and thermally pretreated glass specimens.