The effect of ion strengthening time/temperature kinetics on the flexural strength of feldspathic porcelains.

The kinetics of ion exchange strengthening of three feldspathic porcelains were investigated. Data describing the effects of treatment time and temperature on flexural strength were produced. The temperature effect results support the hypothesis that the opposing phenomena of diffusion and relaxation control residual stress. The time effect results suggest that Fick's Law of diffusion and diffusional creep control flexural strength. Mechanisms were proposed. These findings suggest that precise control of temperature is more critical than control of time in this process of ion strengthening. Further investigations on the ion strengthening of low-fusing porcelains should be carried out.