METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MODIFYING SURFACE LAYER OF GLASS AND GLASS PRODUCT HAVING MODIFIED SURFACE LAYER
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Abstract
The invention relates to a method of modifying a surface of a glass product. The method comprises conveying particles to the surface of the glass, a material contained in the particles being at least partly dissolved and diffused in the glass. The method comprises a step of heating the surface of the glass. The invention further relates to an apparatus for modifying a surface of a hot glass product. The invention still further relates to glass products wherein the content of an element which provides the glass with a functionality decreases steplessly upon proceeding from the surface of the glass deeper into the glass.
51 Citations
42 Claims
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1-21. -21. (canceled)
- 22. A method of modifying a surface layer of glass/a glass product, comprising conveying particles having a diameter of less than 1 micrometre to a surface of the glass, a material contained in the particles being at least partly dissolved and diffused in the glass, wherein the method comprises heating the glass such that the dynamic viscosity of the glass changes as a function of the depth of the glass, the dynamic viscosity of the glass being at its lowest on the surface of the glass, whereby the diffusion and dissolution of the material contained in the particles into the glass decrease steplessly upon proceeding from the surface of the glass deeper into the glass.
- 40. An apparatus for modifying a surface layer of glass/a glass product, the apparatus comprising liquid flame spraying means for forming a spraying flame and means for conveying a sprayable material into the spraying flame, whereby the flame enables the sprayable material to be sprayed to a surface of the glass, the sprayable material forming in the flame particles having a diameter of less than 1 micrometre, wherein the apparatus is arranged to heat the glass such that the dynamic viscosity of the glass changes as a function of the depth of the glass, the dynamic viscosity of the glass being at its lowest on the surface of the glass, whereby diffusion and dissolution of the material contained in the particles into the glass decrease steplessly upon proceeding from the surface of the glass deeper into the glass.
Specification