Corning Incorporated
Methods for ion exchanging glass articles

Abstract:

A method for ion exchanging glass articles is provided. The method includes ion exchanging a plurality of lots in steps within an ion exchange salt bath, wherein each of the plurality of lots comprises at least one glass article, and wherein the ion exchange salt bath comprises molten salt and, after removing the last lot from the ion exchange salt bath, removing substantially the entire volume of molten salt from the ion exchange salt bath. The method further includes maintaining steady state conditions in the ion exchange salt bath prior to removing substantially the entire volume of salt from the ion exchange salt bath such that at least one of the compressive stress and the central tension of substantially all of the glass articles varies from at least one of the compressive stress and the central tension of any other of the glass articles by less than about 20%.