Strengthening of lithium aluminosilicate glass-ceramics by new generation chemical tempering method

Chemical tempering is a strengthening method in which compressive stress is created on the surface compared to the inside of the material by changing the composition of the material's surface with the ion exchange between the material and the solution in which the material is present at high temperature. With this method, which can be applied to glass and glass-ceramic materials, thinner glasses and more complex shaped products are gained higher strength values compared to thermal tempering. In this study, it is aimed to strengthen the lithium aluminosilicate glass-ceramic material with the new generation chemical tempering method, since it can meet the requirements such as lightness and high strength to be used in ballistic applications. Chemical tempering solutions with different contents and heat treatment parameters effects on mechanical properties, optical properties and chemical properties were investigated. With increasing temperature and time parameters which are 600°C, 650°C and 700°C for 1 day, 2 days and 3 days, depth of penetration of ions to the sample surface increases and it has been observed that the mechanical properties improved up to 5 times, however further increasing of the tempering parameters have negative effects on mechanical and optical properties due to various reasons. In addition to these studies, it has been observed that the optical properties and strength of some samples are improved by grinding the surface of the samples and are suitable for ballistic applications.