Two-step ion exchange processes have been established to produce strong, flaw tolerant glasses. In order to identify optimum processing conditions, it is necessary to develop a theoretical framework for the procedure. The first step in this process is to develop the ability to predict the concentration profiles in the glass surfaces after the first and second exchange steps. Potassium concentration profiles in the ion exchanged glass surface were experimentally measured by electron microbe analysis and the diffusion coefficients were calculated. At the same time, surface concentrations were determined by secondary ion mass spectrometer. Using the measured diffusion coefficients and surface concentrations, theoretical concentration profiles for the two step process were calculated and a good agreement was found.
