Indentation deformation and cracking behavior of hydrated aluminoborate glasses

Aluminoborate glasses have recently been found to feature high resistance to crack initiation during indentation due to a highly flexible network structure. In cesium aluminoborate glasses, it has been found that the use of a simple post-treatment, namely aging in a humid atmosphere, can further improve this resistance. To better understand the mechanical properties of this glass family upon humid aging, we here study the effect of aging conditions on the structure and mechanical properties of Li,K,Cs-aluminoborate glasses. As expected, we find that higher humidity and longer aging time cause more pronounced permeation of atmospheric water into the glasses. Due to their denser structure and stronger modifier-oxygen bonds, the humid aging has a relatively smaller effect on the mechanical properties of Li- and K-containing glasses relative to Cs-containing glasses, with the latter achieving an ultrahigh crack resistance. We find that the humid aging leads to the formation of a hydration layer in the Cs-aluminoborate glass surface, with a thickness of around 26 mu m upon aging at 23 degrees C with 40% relative humidity for 7 days. Moreover, a remarkable indentation behavior, that is, the observation of mu m-sized shear bands inside the imprint of the Cs-glass upon aging at 60% relative humidity is reported. Taken as a whole, the work provides guidelines for how to control the humid aging rate as a function of relative humidity and temperature to form a hydration layer and thus achieve improved crack resistance in such glasses.

Automated summary

Aluminoborate glasses with a flexible network structure show high resistance to crack initiation during indentation, and aging in a humid atmosphere can further enhance this resistance, especially in cesium aluminoborate glasses. Humid aging results in increased atmospheric water permeation and the formation of a hydration layer, with a more pronounced effect on Cs-containing glasses compared to Li- and K-containing glasses. This research provides insights on controlling the humid aging rate to improve crack resistance in aluminoborate glasses.