COUNTER-CURRENT CONTINUOUS ION-EXCHANGE METHOD FOR STRENGTHENING GLASS ARTICLES

摘要

This disclosure is directed to a continuous flow ion-exchange system and process (CIOX) in which a fresh molten salt, for example KNO3, is supplied a salt inlet end of a long channeled containment vessel and the used molten salt is removed from a salt outlet end distal from the inlet end of the channel. Glass article is loaded into at least one cassette, the cassette is placed in the vessel containing the molten salt and is translated from the salt outlet end to the salt inlet end. Cassettes containing glass articles are continuously placed into the vessel at the salt outlet lend and are removed as they reach the salt inlet end.