Abstract: A method of forming glass articles involves introducing a particulate mixture (20) of SiC particles and carrier particles into molten glass (44, 22) contained within at least one of a forehearth (12) or a fining chamber (28) of a glass-making furnace (10). The particulate mixture (20) creates seeds (S) within the molten glass such that an outflow of conditioned molten glass (18) discharged from the forehearth (12) and the glass articles produced therefrom contain a greater concentration of seeds (S) than if the particulate mixture (20) is not added. The concentration of seeds (S) in the glass articles can be controlled by commencing or withholding the addition of the particulate mixture (20).

Abstract: An aqueous ion exchange strengthening method for strengthening a glass container is disclosed that includes a step of exposing a surface of a glass container to an aqueous ion exchange solution that comprises water and an alkali metal salt to coat the surface of the glass container with a coating of the aqueous ion exchange solution. The alkali metal of the alkali metal salt may be potassium, rubidium, caesium, or mixtures thereof. The aqueous ion exchange strengthening process also includes the step of heat treating the glass container in a heated environment having a temperature ranging from 125° C. to 600° C.