Abstract: The invention relates to methods of increasing the strength, especially the flexural strength, of a glass article produced from a glass material. The method includes the step of heating the glass article to a first temperature above the transformation temperature of the glass material, the step of shock cooling the glass article to a second temperature below the transformation temperature of the glass material, and the step of performing an ion exchange process at the second temperature.

Abstract: A method for producing a porous fireproof material suitable for glass production, comprising introducing one or more reducing substances for adjusting an oxygen sink in the pore volume of the fireproof material.

Abstract: A method for producing thermally tempered glass. This type of surface treatment is applied in particular where mechanical properties, in particular strengths, are required, for example in the automotive industry, in architecture and in the utilisation of solar energy. The method produces thermally tempered glass with thicknesses less than 2.8 mm. The method can be advantageously performed such that thermally tempered glass can be produced with less energy input by utilising controlled quenching.

Abstract: A method for producing a porous fireproof material suitable for glass production, comprising introducing one or more reducing substances for adjusting an oxygen sink in the pore volume of the fireproof material.

Abstract: The invention concerns alkaline glasses with modified glass surfaces. The technical object of the invention is to stabilize the modified glass surface so that reverse sodium diffusion out of the volume is substantially avoided even at elevated temperatures and in particular in the case of post-treatment procedures using a flame. Surprisingly it was found that a modified glass surface of an alkaline glass is substantially resistant to reverse sodium diffusion from the volume at elevated temperatures if the chemism within the surface has an aluminum concentration which is markedly increased in relation to the volume. The cause can be the very high level of negative formation enthalpy of albite phases. The process according to the invention is characterized in that the surface of said glasses is brought into contact with elevated levels of aluminum concentration and is subjected to a heat treatment.