Cation Concentration Profiles In Float Glass Surfaces During Corrosion In Aqueous Solutions

The chemical composition of the thin surface layer of float glass is not homogeneous with respect to the concentration of some cations. This inhomegeneous cation distribution significantly changes if the glass surface comes into contact with aqueous solutions. Using ESCA significant changes in the distribution of magnesium and sodium cations were found ont he "top" surface of float glass in static corrosion environment. The magnesium concentration increases in the thin surface layer, while sodium concentration decreases almost to zero.