Effect of dilute HF solutions on chemical, optical, and mechanical properties of soda-lime-silica glass

Commercially and laboratory prepared soda-lime-silica (SLS) glasses compositions were investigated for corrosion behavior toward varying dilute HF solutions. The corrosion is found to be low in 0.05 M HF solution and relatively high with 0.5 M HF. Infrared reflectance studies were measured to monitor the surface changes after etching process. The corrosion data are explained on the basis of selectivity of HF toward the bridging and nonbridging oxygens. Optical transmittance, impact toughness, and density were measured after corrosion; the data are used to verify the suggested corrosion mechanism. Significant changes were reached on the remeasurement of previous collective studied properties when the commercial glass was irradiated.