There is a large market strive for thinner and stronger glass in order to reduce costs, save energy, reduce environmental footprint, find new applications and to improve the working environment for labour working with mounting flat glass. This study comprises the modification of flat/float glass surface by a novel route; exchange of ionic species originating from in-line vapour deposition of salt compared to the conventional route of immersing the glass in molten salt baths. The aim of this work is to develop a novel process in order to improve the mechanical strength of flat/float glass by introducing external material to the surface in a process with the obvious potential to be automatic in industrial processes. Chemical strengthening has been performed by applying potassium chloride to the glass surface by vapour deposition and thermally activated ion exchange. The method presented here is anticipated to be used in production in the future and would make it possible to produce larger quantities of chemically strengthened flat glass to a considerably lower cost
