Etched Strengthened Glass for Thin Impact-Resistant Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing glass articles used in electronic devices and construction materials often lack sufficient strength to withstand external impacts, particularly in thin and lightweight applications.
Innovation Solution
A method involving chemical or thermal strengthening of glass through ion exchange processes to create compressive regions on the surface, followed by etching to remove a low-refractive surface layer, enhancing compressive stress and reducing tensile stress to improve durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If glass is thinned to reduce weight and improve portability, then weight and ease of carrying are improved, but strength and impact resistance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies ion exchange process to change the chemical composition and physical parameters of the glass surface. By exchanging smaller monovalent cations (Na+, K+) with larger divalent cations (Ca2+, Mg2+) from the molten salt bath, the glass surface develops compressive stress that significantly improves impact resistance. This allows thin glass to maintain high strength despite reduced thickness.
Solution Approach 2:
The strengthening effect is localized to the surface region of the glass where ion exchange occurs. The surface layer (approximately 10-50 micrometers deep) develops high compressive stress, while the bulk glass maintains its original properties. This localized modification enables thin glass to achieve high impact resistance without compromising overall transparency or adding significant weight.
2Strength
If ion exchange process is used to strengthen glass, then compressive stress and strength are improved, but surface defects and low-refractive layer formation worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the problematic low-refractive surface layer formed during ion exchange by etching with hydrofluoric acid. This extraction eliminates the optical defects and surface irregularities caused by excessive ion exchange, while preserving the underlying compressive stress structure that provides strength. The HF etching selectively removes the altered surface layer without significantly affecting the bulk glass or the compressive stress profile.
3Illumination intensity
If glass surface is etched to remove low-refractive layer, then optical clarity and surface quality are improved, but compressive stress and strength may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial etching to remove only the low-refractive surface layer (approximately 1-10 micrometers thick) while leaving the deeper compressive stress region intact. By controlling the etching depth and duration, the process eliminates optical defects without significantly compromising the underlying compressive stress structure. The etching depth is carefully managed to be less than the depth of the compressive stress zone, preserving strength while improving optical clarity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The method produces glass articles with high compressive stresses and controlled stress profiles, effectively preventing crack propagation and improving impact resistance while maintaining optical clarity and reducing surface defects.
Implementation Method 1
The glass may have a strengthened structure by ion exchange in which monovalent cations such as Na+ and K+ in the glass are replaced by divalent cations such as Ca2+ and Mg2+
Implementation Method 2
a first compressive region CSR1 extended from the first surface US to a first depth DOL1, and a second compressive region CSR2 extended from the second surface RS to a second depth DOL2
Implementation Method 3
the etching away the low-refractive surface layer comprises: cleaning the low-refractive surface layer with an acid solution; and cleaning the low-refractive surface layer with a base solution after the cleaning it with the acid solution
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for producing a glass article is provided. The method for producing a glass article, the method including preparing a glass to be processed, the glass comprising a glass bulk and a low-refractive surface layer disposed on the glass bulk, and etching away the low-refractive surface layer to form an etched glass, wherein the etching away the low-refractive surface layer comprises: cleaning the low-refractive surface layer with an acid solution; and cleaning the low-refractive surface layer with a base solution after the cleaning it with the acid solution.