Alkali silicate glasses subjected to low-temperature ion exchange in molten salt are being probed by Auger electron spectroscopy (AES). Spot analyses and elemental line scans across fresh fracture surfaces of broken glass specimens reveal oxygen enrichment of reaction layer where Na⁺-for-K⁺ ion exchange occurred and exceptional similarity in shapes of concentration depth profiles of potassium and oxygen. The probe provides the first direct evidence that smaller-for-larger ion replacement is accompanied by inward oxygen transport into reaction zone where potassium cations rearrange former sodium sites in accordance with their steric demands. Such chemical and structural rearrangements entail defect formation and glass network depolymerization and fragmentation, which define stress buildup and relaxation, residual stress intensity and profile in the surface layer of chemically strengthened glasses.

在熔盐中进行低温离子交换的碱金属硅酸盐玻璃正在通过俄歇电子能谱 (AES) 进行探测。碎玻璃样品的新鲜断裂表面的点分析和元素线扫描揭示了发生 Na ⁺ -for-K ⁺ 离子交换的反应层的氧富集以及浓度形状的异常相似钾和氧的深度剖面。该探针提供了第一个直接证据，表明较小离子对较大离子的替换伴随着氧气向内输送到反应区，其中钾阳离子根据其空间需求重新排列以前的钠位点。这种化学和结构重排导致缺陷形成以及玻璃网络解聚和破碎，从而定义了化学强化玻璃表面层的应力积聚和松弛、残余应力强度和分布。