R.C.N. Solutions is preparing to supply a new chemical tempering plant to an Italian glass manufacturer, with delivery scheduled for mid-March. The equipment will support confidential naval industry projects and has been customised with a 2,500 × 2,000 mm working size as part of a broader upgrade of the company’s production facilities.

Chemical tempering is increasingly used because it allows glass to achieve very high strength without the optical distortions associated with thermal tempering. This process is particularly suitable for thin glass applications, where both lightweight performance and safety are required.

Unlike thermal tempering, which relies on rapid cooling, chemical tempering uses an ion-exchange process in which sodium ions in the glass are replaced with potassium ions from a molten salt bath. This creates a compressive stress layer on the surface, improving the glass’s durability and mechanical resistance.

Chemically strengthened glass can reach six to eight times the strength of standard glass and offers improved resistance to thermal shock and high temperatures. These characteristics make it suitable for demanding sectors such as naval, automotive, electronics, optical and precision glass applications.

Since introducing its chemical tempering technology in 2017, R.C.N. Solutions has supplied systems to international manufacturers including AGC and Schott. The company notes that the technology can support both large-scale producers and smaller glass processors looking to expand into advanced glass products.