ENAMELLING OF GLASS BY CO2-LASER TREATMENT

Decoration of glass using enamel is interesting for hollow glassware a s well as for flat glass sheets. Laser radiation can be used advantage ously to increase the temperature of the product locally. The reaction s which take place during CO2 laser heat treatment of a conventional P bO-containing frit are discussed intensely. Pyrometrical temperature m easurements accompany the experiments to investigate the temperature d evelopment during CO2 laser irradiation. At temperatures above T-g opt imal results concerning low surface roughness, high brightness and int ensive colouration are obrained without deformation of the shape of th e product. Very promising results show that higher temperatures can be achieved by laser application and therefore PbO-free frits can be use d.