Mechanical and chemical durability of glass enamels

Abstract

The mechanical strength of coated flat glass ("architectural enamel") and the dishwasher durability of household glass decoration were investigated with commercial glasses and enamels. The influence of the composition, the pigment content and the grain size of the enamels as well as the coefficient of thermal expansion, the melting behavior and the surface conditions on chemical and physical properties was shown. The influence of the firing process became obvious at prestressing as well as at firing with longer holding time. The coated samples were investigated as to strain profiles, homogeneity of the layer and crack origins. The strains originating in the enamel were calculated by the three-layer method. After dishwasher treatment and corrosion test, respectively, further parameters like color and gloss were measured. From that concrete proposals resulted for the improvement of the chemical and mechanical resistance of glass enamels.