Effect of Etching Time on Surface Microstructure and Properties of Glass Treated in a Mixed Acid Solution

Soda-lime silicate glass sheets were etched by using a mixed solution of HF and H2 SO4 as the complex ethant. Effects of etching time on the surface microstructure,surface wettability,transparency,bending strength as well as fracture toughness of glass sheets have been investigated in detail. The results show that as the etching process proceeded,the dissolution rate of glass sheets is gradually decreased. The etch pit size firstly increases and then decreases,the result for the uniformity of etch pit distribution are opposite. The contact angle is increased up to a constant value. The bending strength firstly increased and then decreased,while the fracture toughness is not obvious. As the etching time is 20 min,the surface roughness attains the minimum value,and the maximum contact angle of 71° and maximum bending strength of 174 MPa are achieved,respectively.