Synergistic effects of accelerated weathering on optical and mechanical integrity of ion-exchanged boroaluminosilicate glass

Silicate-based glasses are widely used for the electronics, automotive, and energy sectors due to their transparency and durability. However, the practical strength of these materials is restricted by surface flaws known as Griffith cracks. To overcome this limitation, chemical strengthening via ion exchange is employed for dedicated high-performance applications using thin glass. This study evaluates the post-manufacturing stability of Corning® Gorilla® Glass 3 under accelerated weathering parameters. Utilizing a fractional factorial experimental design, this work isolates the synergistic contributions of temperature, RH, and UV Radiation. Crucially, this work goes beyond phenomenological observations to uncover fundamental physical and chemical degradation mechanisms. Results reveal that significant optical degradation occurred, even though the bulk ion-exchange profile remained chemically stable due to kinetic diffusion retardation by the compressive stress layer. This optical loss followed Rayleigh scattering physics, driven by the formation of a nano-porous, low-refractive-index alteration layer within the surface region. Also, a counter-intuitive micro-smoothing of the surface texture was observed. This is attributed to a competitive mechanism of asperity dissolution and hydrolytic gel swelling, where the hydrated layer bridges surface valleys. Despite these surface changes, the mechanical reliability (scratch hardness and scratch resistance) remained invariant, governed by the deep compressive stress profile which effectively shielded the superficial weathering artifacts, confirming the material’s native damage resistance.