To provide an inorganic composition article containing at least one kind selected from α-cristobalite and α-cristobalite solid solution as a main crystal phase, in which by mass % in terms of oxide, a content of a SiO.sub.2 component is 50.0% to 75.0%, a content of a Li.sub.2O component is 3.0% to 10.0%, a content of an Al.sub.2O.sub.3 component is 5.0% or more and less than 15.0%, and a total content of the Al.sub.2O.sub.3 component and a ZrO.sub.2 component is 10.0% or more, and a surface compressive stress value is 600 MPa or more.

To provide an inorganic composition article containing at least one kind selected from α-cristobalite and α-cristobalite solid solution as a main crystal phase, in which by mass % in terms of oxide, a content of a SiO.sub.2 component is 50.0% to 75.0%, a content of a Li.sub.2O component is 3.0% to 10.0%, a content of an Al.sub.2O.sub.3 component is 5.0% or more and less than 15.0%, and a total content of the Al.sub.2O.sub.3 component and a ZrO.sub.2 component is 10.0% or more, and a surface compressive stress value is 600 MPa or more.

A novel apparatus and method for producing flat glass by floating molten glass on liquid tin, significantly improving the efficiency of heating the tin and reducing or eliminating the need to anneal by eliminating the stress introduced by pulling the glass across the tin bath. The apparatus directly heats and melts the tin by exposure to high-intensity infrared energy through surfaces of the tin-containing tub, said tub made from a material that is transmissive at selected infrared wavelengths.

A novel apparatus and method for producing flat glass by floating molten glass on liquid tin, significantly improving the efficiency of heating the tin and reducing or eliminating the need to anneal by eliminating the stress introduced by pulling the glass across the tin bath. The apparatus directly heats and melts the tin by exposure to high-intensity infrared energy through surfaces of the tin-containing tub, said tub made from a material that is transmissive at selected infrared wavelengths.

A loading apparatus for glass plates includes first and second frames facing each other and supporters extending in a first direction, disposed between the first frame and the second frame, and coupled with the first frame and the second frame. Each of the plurality of supporters includes a supporting bar and a coating layer covering at least a portion of the supporting bar. The plurality of supporters supports the glass plates arranged in the first direction, and the coating layer includes at least one of Teflon, molybdenum, ceramic, and metal oxide.

A loading apparatus for glass plates includes first and second frames facing each other and supporters extending in a first direction, disposed between the first frame and the second frame, and coupled with the first frame and the second frame. Each of the plurality of supporters includes a supporting bar and a coating layer covering at least a portion of the supporting bar. The plurality of supporters supports the glass plates arranged in the first direction, and the coating layer includes at least one of Teflon, molybdenum, ceramic, and metal oxide.

A glass article includes lithium aluminosilicate, includes a first surface, a second surface opposed to the first surface, a first compressive region extending from the first surface to a first compression depth, a second compressive region extending from the second surface to a second compression depth, and, a tensile region disposed between the first compression depth and the second compression depth, where a stress profile of the first compressive region has a first local minimum point at which the stress profile is convex downward and a first local maximum point at which the stress profile is convex upward, where a depth of the first local maximum point is greater than a depth of the first local minimum point, and where a stress of the first local maximum point is greater than a compressive stress of the first local minimum point.

A salt bath for glass reinforcement, including a nitrate and a metal compound. The mass fraction of the nitrate is not less than 50%, and the nitrate is in a molten state. The metal compound is fused into the nitrate, and the metal compound contains the same metal element as the nitrate. The mass fraction of the metal element in the molecular formula corresponding to the metal compound is greater than the mass fraction in the molecular formula corresponding to the nitrate. Thus, compared with the existing salt bath, under the condition of the same mass, the salt bath can provide more effective amount of metal ions, thereby increasing the strength of glass after reinforcement, and at the same time, the lifetime of the salt bath is increased, reducing the waste of resources and environmental pollution.

A window includes a base region and a compressive stress region disposed on the base region. The compressive stress region includes Li.sup.+, Na.sup.+, and K.sup.+ ions. The compressive stress region includes a first compressive stress portion in which a concentration of the K.sup.+ ions decreases, a concentration of Na.sup.+ ions increases, and a concentration of the Li.sup.+ ions increases, from a surface of the window toward the base region. A second compressive stress portion is adjacent to the first compressive stress portion. In the second compressive stress portion, the concentration of the Na.sup.+ ion decreases and the concentration of the Li.sup.+ ion increases, from the first compressive stress portion toward the base region. The window thereby has a high surface compressive stress value and impact resistance.

A window includes a base region and a compressive stress region disposed on the base region. The compressive stress region includes Li.sup.+, Na.sup.+, and K.sup.+ ions. The compressive stress region includes a first compressive stress portion in which a concentration of the K.sup.+ ions decreases, a concentration of Na.sup.+ ions increases, and a concentration of the Li.sup.+ ions increases, from a surface of the window toward the base region. A second compressive stress portion is adjacent to the first compressive stress portion. In the second compressive stress portion, the concentration of the Na.sup.+ ion decreases and the concentration of the Li.sup.+ ion increases, from the first compressive stress portion toward the base region. The window thereby has a high surface compressive stress value and impact resistance.