Surface and subsurface alterations in freshly fractured and corroded soda-lime float glass

We have investigated the corrosion behavior of the soda-lime silicate float glass on freshly created active surfaces. The process of ion diffusion and ion exchange during surface corrosion is explained at the initial stages. We have reported a unique subsurface activity in the glass, which achieves equilibrium. This varies at the subsurface depth level of approximate to 10-30 nm and is visible as a broad peak in the elemental depth profile. The prolonged corrosion and heating process assists surface relaxation of the glass samples. We have observed the formation of active nucleation sites for the corrosion process on the surface. In this study, we report that the sodium ions and its corrosion compounds are decoupled from other metal ions present in the glass during diffusion relaxation and ion exchange. A combination of time of flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS) and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) microanalysis help to explain the evolution and quantify the changes at the initial stages in the freshly formed glass surface.

Automated summary

The corrosion behavior of soda-lime silicate float glass on fresh active surfaces is investigated. The initial stages of surface corrosion involve ion diffusion and ion exchange. A unique subsurface activity is reported in the glass, achieving equilibrium at approximately 10-30 nm depth, visibly manifested as a broad peak in the elemental depth profile. Prolonged corrosion and heating facilitate surface relaxation, leading to the formation of active nucleation sites for the corrosion process.