Flat Glass Pane

Simple SummaryContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

This patent describes a flat glass pane made from standard alkali-containing silicate glass, whose surface layer is enriched with potassium and depleted of sodium and/or lithium through a specific process. The inner layer beneath the surface remains unchanged. The glass features a unique stress profile, with compressive stress near the surface and increasing tensile stress deeper inside, which results in much higher strength without requiring expensive specialty glass or long processing times. This is achieved by combining tailored thermal and chemical strengthening treatments, offering improved mechanical properties and allowing thinner, lighter panes.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Windows for buildings (residential, commercial, etc.)
• Display covers for electronic devices such as smartphones, tablets, and computer monitors
• Vehicle glass, including windshields, side windows, and glass roofs
• Greenhouse panes
• Glass covers for solar panels in photovoltaics and solar thermal applications
• Protective glass in public spaces or transport
• Thin, lightweight glass applications where strength and weight reduction are important

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Significantly increased strength and durability compared to untreated flat glass
• Enables use of ordinary, inexpensive glass instead of requiring expensive specialty glass
• Reduces glass thickness and weight while maintaining or improving performance, saving material and lowering transportation and mounting costs
• Shorter processing time for chemical strengthening compared to conventional methods
• Greater resistance to breaking, scratching, and bending
• Improves safety for users and occupants (e.g., in vehicles and buildings)
• Thinner panes increase light transmission, benefiting displays, greenhouses, and solar technology
• Glass is easily recyclable and environmentally friendly

Technical Classifications (CPCs)

Inventors & Applicants

Patent Abstract

The invention relates to a flat glass pane made of a base material, which is an alkali-containing silicate glass. The flat glass pane is characterized in that at least one surface layer is enriched with potassium and is depleted of sodium and/or lithium while an inner layer, in particular an inner layer directly adjoining the surface layer, is not enriched with potassium and is not depleted of sodium and/or lithium; and the flat glass pane has a compressive stress up to a compressive stress depth and a tensile stress starting from the compressive stress depth, wherein the tensile stress increases as the depth increases up to a tensile stress maximum arranged in the inner layer, and/or the curve of the tensile stress does not have a linear section depending on the depth, and/or the curve of the tensile stress does not have a section in which the tensile stress is constant depending on the depth.