CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. Â§119 to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/877,492, filed on Sep. 13, 2013, the content of which is relied upon and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The disclosure relates to damage resistant glasses. More particularly, the disclosure relates to damage resistant glasses that are capable of being formed into sheets via a float process. Even more particularly, the disclosure relates to damage resistant, boron-containing glasses that have optionally been strengthened by ion exchange.

SUMMARY

Alkali boroaluminosilicate glasses are provided that, when strengthened, are resistant to damage due to sharp impact and capable of fast ion exchange. The glasses comprise a combination of SiO₂, Al₂O₃, B₂O₃, and an alkali oxide, and, when ion exchanged, have a Vickers indentation crack initiation load of at least about 12 kgf.

Accordingly, one aspect comprises an alkali boroaluminosilicate glass comprising:

- from about 60 to about 70 mol % SiO₂
- from about 8 to about 13 mol % Al₂O₃
- from about 9 to about 15 mol % B₂O₃
- from about 2 to about 8 mol % MgO
- from about 8 to about 13 mol % M₂O.
  In some embodiments, M₂O comprises Na₂O. In some compositions, the glass is phosphate free or substantially free of phosphate.

Another aspect comprises an alkali boroaluminosilicate glass comprising:

- from about 62 to about 69 mol % SiO₂
- from about 9 to about 12 mol % Al₂O₃
- from about 10 to about 14 mol % B₂O₃
- from about 3 to about 7 mol % MgO
- from about 9 to about 12 mol % Na₂O.

In some compositions, the glass is phosphate free or substantially free of phosphate. In some compositions, the alkali aluminosilicate glasses above have a potassium/sodium interdiffusion coefficient of at least about 2.4Ã—10^âˆ’10cm²/s at 410Â° C. In some embodiments, the glasses above have an annealing point from about 550Â° C. to about 625Â° C. The glass may have a strain point from about 500Â° C. to about 575Â° C. in some embodiments. In some cases, the glasses above have a softening point from about 780Â° C. to about 870Â° C. The glasses may have a viscosity of less than 10⁴Poise at 1300Â° C. Additionally, the glasses above may have a density of from about 2.320 to about 2.380. Some example embodiments of the glasses above may have a coefficient of thermal expansion, CTE_{20-300Â° C.}of from about 55 to about 75Ã—10^âˆ’7/Â° C.

In some embodiments, the alkali aluminosilicate glasses above are ion exchanged to a depth of layer of at least about 10 Î¼m, 20 Î¼m, or 30 Î¼m. In some embodiments, the glass has a compressive layer extending from a surface of the glass to the depth of layer, and wherein the compressive layer is under a compressive stress of at least about 300 MPa. In some embodiments, the ion exchanged glasses above have a Vickers indentation crack initiation load of at least about 7 kgf. In some embodiments, the glass has a Vickers indentation crack initiation load of at least about 12 kgf. In some embodiments, the ion exchanged glasses above have a Vickers indentation crack initiation load from about 12 kgf to about 45 kgf.

Another aspect comprises a method comprising making a glass sheet by floating a glass composition comprising:

- from about 60 to about 70 mol % SiO₂
- from about 8 to about 13 mol % Al₂O₃
- from about 9 to about 15 mol % B₂O₃
- from about 2 to about 8 mol % MgO
- from about 8 to about 13 mol % M₂O,
  - or
- from about 62 to about 69 mol % SiO₂
- from about 9 to about 12 mol % Al₂O₃
- from about 10 to about 14 mol % B₂O₃
- from about 3 to about 7 mol % MgO
- from about 9 to about 12 mol % Na₂O
  on a tin float bath.

In some embodiments, M₂O comprises Na₂O. In some compositions, the glass is phosphate free or substantially free of phosphate. In some compositions, the alkali aluminosilicate glasses above have a potassium/sodium interdiffusion coefficient of at least about 2.4Ã—10^âˆ’10cm²/s at 410Â° C. In some embodiments, the glasses above have an annealing point from about 550Â° C. to about 625Â° C. The glass may have a strain point from about 500Â° C. to about 575Â° C. in some embodiments. In some cases, the glasses above have a softening point from about 780Â° C. to about 870Â° C. The glasses may have a viscosity of less than 10⁴Poise at 1300Â° C. Additionally, the glasses above may have a density of from about 2.320 to about 2.380. Some example embodiments of the glasses above may have a coefficient of thermal expansion, CTE_{20-300Â° C.}of from about 55 to about 75Ã—10^âˆ’7/Â° C.

In some cases, the process further comprises subjecting the glasses above to a post-forming heat treatment comprising cooling the glasses to room temperature (about 25Â° C.) at a rate of from about 150-350Â° C./min.

The process may further comprises ion exchanging the glass sheets to a depth of layer of at least about 10 Î¼m, 20 Î¼m, or 30 Î¼m. In some cases, the glasses are ion exchanged in a KNO₃bath at greater than 375Â° C. for greater than 4, 8, or 16 hours.

The glasses described above may have a compressive layer extending from a surface of the glass to the depth of layer, and wherein the compressive layer is under a compressive stress of at least about 300, 400, 500, or 600 MPa. In some embodiments, the ion exchanged glasses above have a Vickers indentation crack initiation load of at least about 7 kgf, 12 kgf, or 15 kgf. Some ion exchanged glasses formed by the processes above have a Vickers indentation crack initiation load from about 12 kgf to about 45 kgf.

These and other aspects, advantages, and salient features will become apparent from the following detailed description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows the high temperature viscosity of glasses in Table 1. The float process window shown as 100 is determined by the tin vapor pressure, heating capacity of roof, and glass forming viscosity.

FIGS. 2A-2C present data showing the average DOL vs CS values for glasses listed in Table 1 after ion-exchanging at 410Â° C. for 4, 8 and 16 hours. The ion exchanging was performed for annealed glass, and those fictivated at 20Â° C. and 60Â° C. above annealing point.

FIGS. 3A-3C present data showing the Vickers indentation threshold performance for glasses compositions in Table 1. Glasses were ion-exchanged at 410Â° C. for 4, 8 and 16 hours. The ion exchanging was performed for annealed glass, and those fictivated at 20Â° C. and 60Â° C. above annealing point.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, numerous specific details may be set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. However, it will be clear to one skilled in the art when embodiments of the invention may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In other instances, well-known features or processes may not be described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure the invention. In addition, like or identical reference numerals may be used to identify common or similar elements. Moreover, unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. In case of conflict, the present specification, including the definitions herein, will control.

Although other methods and can be used in the practice or testing of the invention, certain suitable methods and materials are described herein.

Disclosed are materials, compounds, compositions, and components that can be used for, can be used in conjunction with, can be used in preparation for, or are embodiments of the disclosed method and compositions. These and other materials are disclosed herein, and it is understood that when combinations, subsets, interactions, groups, etc. of these materials are disclosed that while specific reference of each various individual and collective combinations and permutation of these compounds may not be explicitly disclosed, each is specifically contemplated and described herein.

Thus, if a class of substituents A, B, and C are disclosed as well as a class of substituents D, E, and F, and an example of a combination embodiment, A-D is disclosed, then each is individually and collectively contemplated. Thus, in this example, each of the combinations A-E, A-F, B-D, B-E, B-F, C-D, C-E, and C-F are specifically contemplated and should be considered disclosed from disclosure of A, B, and/or C; D, E, and/or F; and the example combination A-D. Likewise, any subset or combination of these is also specifically contemplated and disclosed. Thus, for example, the sub-group of A-E, B-F, and C-E are specifically contemplated and should be considered disclosed from disclosure of A, B, and/or C; D, E, and/or F; and the example combination A-D. This concept applies to all aspects of this disclosure including, but not limited to any components of the compositions and steps in methods of making and using the disclosed compositions. More specifically, the example composition ranges given herein are considered part of the specification and further, are considered to provide example numerical range endpoints, equivalent in all respects to their specific inclusion in the text, and all combinations are specifically contemplated and disclosed. Further, if there are a variety of additional steps that can be performed it is understood that each of these additional steps can be performed with any specific embodiment or combination of embodiments of the disclosed methods, and that each such combination is specifically contemplated and should be considered disclosed.

Moreover, where a range of numerical values is recited herein, comprising upper and lower values, unless otherwise stated in specific circumstances, the range is intended to include the endpoints thereof, and all integers and fractions within the range. It is not intended that the scope of the invention be limited to the specific values recited when defining a range. Further, when an amount, concentration, or other value or parameter is given as a range, one or more preferred ranges or a list of upper preferable values and lower preferable values, this is to be understood as specifically disclosing all ranges formed from any pair of any upper range limit or preferred value and any lower range limit or preferred value, regardless of whether such pairs are separately disclosed. Finally, when the term â€œaboutâ€ is used in describing a value or an end-point of a range, the disclosure should be understood to include the specific value or end-point referred to.

As used herein, the term â€œaboutâ€ means that amounts, sizes, formulations, parameters, and other quantities and characteristics are not and need not be exact, but may be approximate and/or larger or smaller, as desired, reflecting tolerances, conversion factors, rounding off, measurement error and the like, and other factors known to those of skill in the art. In general, an amount, size, formulation, parameter or other quantity or characteristic is â€œaboutâ€ or â€œapproximateâ€ whether or not expressly stated to be such.

The term â€œorâ€ , as used herein, is inclusive; more specifically, the phrase â€œA or Bâ€ means â€œA, B, or both A and B.â€ Exclusive â€œorâ€ is designated herein by terms such as â€œeither A or Bâ€ and â€œone of A or B,â€ for example.

The indefinite articles â€œaâ€ and â€œanâ€ are employed to describe elements and components of the invention. The use of these articles means that one or at least one of these elements or components is present. Although these articles are conventionally employed to signify that the modified noun is a singular noun, as used herein the articles â€œaâ€ and â€œanâ€ also include the plural, unless otherwise stated in specific instances. Similarly, the definite article â€œtheâ€ , as used herein, also signifies that the modified noun may be singular or plural, again unless otherwise stated in specific instances.

For the purposes of describing the embodiments, it is noted that reference herein to a variable being a â€œfunctionâ€ of a parameter or another variable is not intended to denote that the variable is exclusively a function of the listed parameter or variable. Rather, reference herein to a variable that is a â€œfunctionâ€ of a listed parameter is intended to be open ended such that the variable may be a function of a single parameter or a plurality of parameters.

It is noted that terms like â€œpreferably,â€ â€œcommonly,â€ and â€œtypically,â€ when utilized herein, are not utilized to limit the scope of the claimed invention or to imply that certain features are critical, essential, or even important to the structure or function of the claimed invention. Rather, these terms are merely intended to identify particular aspects of an embodiment of the present disclosure or to emphasize alternative or additional features that may or may not be utilized in a particular embodiment of the present disclosure.

It is noted that one or more of the claims may utilize the term â€œwhereinâ€ as a transitional phrase. For the purposes of defining the present invention, it is noted that this term is introduced in the claims as an open-ended transitional phrase that is used to introduce a recitation of a series of characteristics of the structure and should be interpreted in like manner as the more commonly used open-ended preamble term â€œcomprising.â€

As a result of the raw materials and/or equipment used to produce the glass or glass ceramic composition of the present invention, certain impurities or components that are not intentionally added, can be present in the final glass or glass ceramic composition. Such materials are present in the glass or glass ceramic composition in minor amounts and are referred to herein as â€œtramp materials.â€

As used herein, a glass or glass ceramic composition having 0 mol % of a compound is defined as meaning that the compound, molecule, or element was not purposefully added to the composition, but the composition may still comprise the compound, typically in tramp or trace amounts. Similarly, â€œiron-free,â€ â€œsodium-free,â€ â€œlithium-free,â€ â€œzirconium-free,â€ â€œalkali earth metal-free,â€ â€œheavy metal-freeâ€ or the like are defined to mean that the compound, molecule, or element was not purposefully added to the composition, but the composition may still comprise iron, sodium, lithium, zirconium, alkali earth metals, or heavy metals, etc., but in approximately tramp or trace amounts.

The term â€œsubstantially free,â€ when used to describe the absence of a particular oxide constituent in a glass composition, means that the constituent is present in the glass composition as a contaminant in a trace amount of less than 1 mol %.

In the embodiments of the glass compositions described herein, the concentration of constituent components (e.g., SiO₂, Al₂O₃, B₂O₃and the like) are given in mole percent (mol %) on an oxide basis, unless otherwise specified.

The term â€œliquidus viscosity, as used herein, refers to the shear viscosity of the glass composition at its liquidus temperature.

The term â€œliquidus temperature,â€ as used herein, refers to the highest temperature at which devitrification occurs in the glass composition.

The term â€œCTE,â€ as used herein, refers to the coefficient of thermal expansion of the glass composition averaged over a temperature range from about 20Â° C. to about 300Â° C.

Glasses

Chemically strengthened alkali aluminosilicate glasses having high damage resistance (i.e., having Vickers cracking thresholds of greater than 15 kilograms force (kgf), and, in some embodiments, greater than 20 kgf, typically have compositions that satisfy the rule [(Al₂O₃(mol %)+B₂O₃(mol %))/(Î£modifier oxides (mol %))]>1, where the modifier oxides include alkali and alkaline earth oxides. Such glasses have been previously described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/858,490, filed Aug. 18, 2010, by Kristen L. Barefoot et al., entitled â€œCrack and Scratch Resistant Glass and Enclosures Made Therefrom,â€ hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

The enhanced damage resistance of P₂O₅-containing alkali aluminosilicate glasses has been previously described in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/417,941, filed on Nov. 30, 2010, by Dana Craig Bookbinder et al., entitled â€œIon Exchangeable Glass with Deep Compressive Layer and High Modulus,â€ hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. The glasses described therein contain phosphate batched with Al₂O₃and B₂O₃to form AlPO₄and BPO₄, respectively, and generally follow the composition rule

0.75â‰¦[(P₂O₅(mol %)+R₂O(mol %))/M₂O₃(mol %)]â‰¦1.3,

where M₂O₃=Al₂O₃+B₂O₃.

The glass compositions described herein, principally having significant levels of B₂O₃and MgO, have properties, such as the liquidus viscosity and the liquidus temperature, which make them particularly well suited for use in float forming processes, while at the same time being capable of ion exchange and retaining high crack initiation thresholds. These properties are attributable to the specific compositions of the glasses, as will be described in more detail herein.

The alkli aluminosilicate glasses and articles described herein comprise a number of chemical components. SiO₂serves as the primary glass-forming oxide and functions to stabilize the networking structure of glass. The concentration of SiO₂should be sufficiently high in order to provide the glass with sufficiently high chemical durability suitable for consumer applications. However, the glasses can't contain too much SiO₂since the melting temperature (200 poise temperature) of pure SiO₂or high-SiO₂glasses is too high. Furthermore, compared to most oxides, SiO₂decreases the compressive stress created by ion exchange. In some embodiments, the glass composition can comprise from about 60 to about 72 mol % SiO₂. In some embodiments, the glass composition can comprise from about 60 to about 70 mol % SiO₂. In some embodiments, the glass composition can comprise from about 62 to about 69 mol % SiO₂. In some embodiments, the glass composition can comprise from about 60 to about 72 mol %, about 62 to about 72 mol %, about 65 to about 72 mol %, about 67 to about 72 mol %, 60 to about 70 mol %, about 62 to about 70 mol %, about 65 to about 70 mol %, about 67 to about 70 mol %, 60 to about 67 mol %, about 62 to about 67 mol %, about 65 to about 67 mol %, about 60 to about 65 mol %, or about 62 to about 65 mol % SiO₂. In some embodiments, the glass composition comprises about 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71 or 72 mol % SiO₂.

Al₂O₃can also serve as a glass former in the example glasses. Like SiO₂, it generally increases the viscosity of the melt and an increase in Al₂O₃relative to the alkalis or alkaline earths generally results in improved durability. Al₂O₃may also provide, among other benefits, for a) maintaining the lowest possible liquidus temperature, b) lowering the expansion coefficient, or c) enhancing the strain point. However, the structural role of the aluminum ions depends on the glass composition. When the concentration of alkali oxide [M₂O] is close to or greater than the concentration of alumina [Al₂O₃], all aluminum is found in tetrahedral coordination with the alkali ions acting as charge-balancers. This is the case for all of the embodied glasses. In general, Al₂O₃plays an extremely important role in ion-exchangeable glasses since it enables a strong network backbone (i.e., high strain point) while allowing for the relatively fast diffusivity of alkali ions. However, because high Al₂O₃concentrations generally lower the liquidus viscosity, Al₂O₃concentration needs to be maintained in a reasonable range. In some embodiments, the glass composition can comprise from about 5 to about 15 mol % Al₂O₃. In some embodiments, the glass composition can comprise from about 8 to about 13 mol % Al₂O₃. In some embodiments, the glass composition can comprise from about 9 to about 12 mol % Al₂O₃. In some embodiments, the glass composition can comprise from about 5 to about 15 mol %, about 8 to about 15 mol %, about 9 to about 15 mol %, about 12 to about 15 mol, 5 to about 12 mol %, about 8 to about 12 mol %, about 9 to about 12 mol %, 5 to about 12 mol %, about 8 to about 12 mol %, about 9 to about 12 mol %, 5 to about 9 mol %, about 8 to about 9 mol %, or about 5 to about 8 mol % Al₂O₃. In some embodiments, the glass composition can comprise about 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, or 15 mol % Al₂O₃.

The presence of B₂O₃in embodiments can improve damage resistance. When boron is not charge balanced by alkali oxides or divalent cation oxides, it will be in trigonal coordination state, and thus open up the structure. The network around these trigonal coordinated boron is not as rigid as tetrahedrally coordinated ones, the bonds are â€œfloppy,â€ and therefore the glasses can tolerate some deformation before crack formation. In some embodiments, the glass composition can comprise from about 5 to about 15 mol % B₂O₃. In some embodiments, the glass composition can comprise from about 9 to about 15 mol % B₂O₃. In some embodiments, the glass composition can comprise from about 10 to about 14 mol % B₂O₃. In some embodiments, the glass composition can comprise from about 5 to about 15 mol %, about 9 to about 15 mol %, about 10 to about 15 mol %, about 12 to about 15 mol, 5 to about 14 mol %, about 9 to about 14 mol %, about 10 to about 14 mol %, 5 to about 12 mol %, about 9 to about 12 mol %, or about 10 to about 12 mol B₂O₃. In some embodiments, the glass composition can comprise about 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, or 15 mol % B₂O₃.

The glasses described herein generally do not contain, or are substantially free of, P₂O₅. In some embodiments, about 0, >0, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1, 2, 3, or 4 mol % P₂O₅may be present. In some embodiments, less than 4, 3, 2, or 1 mol % P₂O₅may be present. In some embodiments, tramp P₂O₅may be present. In some embodiments, the glass composition can comprise about 0 mol % P₂O₅. In some embodiments, the glass can comprise from 0 to about 1 mol % P₂O₅. In other embodiments, the glass can comprise greater than 0 to about 1 mol % P₂O₅. In some embodiments, the glass composition can comprise from 0 to about 2 mol %, 0 to about 1.5 mol %, 0 to about 1 mol %, 0 to about 0.9 mol %, 0 to about 0.8 mol % 0 to about 0.7 mol %, 0 to about 0.6 mol %, 0 to about 0.5 mol %, 0 to about 0.4 mol %, 0 to about 0.3 mol %, 0 to about 0.2 mol %, or 0 to about 0.1 mol %. The glass compositions, according to some embodiments, are free of intentionally added P₂O₅.

Alkali oxides (Li₂O, Na₂O, K₂O, Rb₂O, and Cs₂O) serve as aids in achieving low melting temperature and low liquidus temperatures. On the other hand, addition of alkali oxide dramatically increases the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) and lowers the chemical durability. Most importantly, to perform ion exchange, the presence of a small alkali oxide (such as Li₂O and Na₂O) is required to exchange with larger alkali ions (e.g., le) from a salt bath. Three types of ion exchange can generally be carried out. Na⁺-for-Li⁺ exchange, which results in a deep depth of layer but low compressive stress. K⁺-for-Li⁺ exchange, which results in a small depth of layer but a relatively large compressive stress. K⁺-for-Na⁺ exchange, which results in intermediate depth of layer and compressive stress. A sufficiently high concentration of the small alkali oxide is necessary to produce a large compressive stress in the glass, since compressive stress is proportional to the number of alkali ions that are exchanged out of the glass. M₂O is the sum of the alkali metal oxides present in the glass composition. In some cases, the glass can comprise from about 5 to about 15 mol % M₂O. In other embodiments, the glass can comprise about 8 to about 13 mol % M₂O. In other embodiments, the glass can comprise about 9 to about 12 mol % M₂O. In some compositions, the glass composition can comprise from about 5 to about 15 mol %, about 8 to about 15 mol %, about 9 to about 15 mol %, about 12 to about 15 mol, 5 to about 14 mol %, about 8 to about 14 mol %, about 9 to about 14 mol %, 5 to about 12 mol %, about 8 to about 12 mol %, or about 9 to about 12 mol Na₂O. In some embodiments, the glass composition can comprise about 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, or 15 mol % M₂O.

Na₂O may be used for ion exchange in embodied glasses. In some embodiments, the glass can comprise from about 5 to about 15 mol % Na₂O. In other embodiments, the glass can comprise about 8 to about 13 mol % Na₂O. In other embodiments, the glass can comprise about 9 to about 12 mol % Na₂O. In some embodiments, the glass composition can comprise from about 5 to about 15 mol %, about 8 to about 15 mol %, about 9 to about 15 mol %, about 12 to about 15 mol, 5 to about 14 mol %, about 8 to about 14 mol %, about 9 to about 14 mol %, 5 to about 12 mol %, about 8 to about 12 mol %, or about 9 to about 12 mol Na₂O. In some embodiments, the glass composition can comprise about 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, or 15 mol % Na₂O.

K₂O in some embodiments can be used for ion exchange, but can be detrimental to compressive stress. In some embodiments, the glass compositions are free of K₂O. The glass compositions are substantially K₂O-free, for example, when the content of K₂O is 0.5 mol percent or less, 0.25 mol % or less, 0.1 mol % or less, about 0.05 mol % or less, 0.001 mol % or less, 0.0005 mol % or less, or 0.0001 mol % or less. The glass sheets, according to some embodiments, are free of intentionally added sodium. In some embodiments, the glass can comprise from 0 to about 1 mol % K₂O. In other embodiments, the glass can comprise greater than 0 to about 1 mol % K₂O. In some embodiments, the glass composition can comprise from 0 to about 2 mol %, 0 to about 1.5 mol %, 0 to about 1 mol %, 0 to about 0.9 mol %, 0 to about 0.8 mol % 0 to about 0.7 mol %, 0 to about 0.6 mol %, 0 to about 0.5 mol %, 0 to about 0.4 mol %, 0 to about 0.3 mol %, 0 to about 0.2 mol %, or 0 to about 0.1 mol %. In some embodiments, the glass can comprise about 0, 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04, 0.05, 0.06, 0.07, 0.08, 0.09, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, or 1 mol % K₂O.

Divalent cation oxides (such as alkaline earth oxides) also improve the melting behavior of the glass, but with respect to ion exchange performance, the presence of divalent cations acts to decrease alkali mobility. The negative effect on ion exchange performance is especially pronounced with the larger divalent cations. Furthermore, the smaller divalent cation oxides generally help the compressive stress more than the larger ones. Hence, MgO offers several advantages with respect to improved stress relaxation while minimizing the adverse effects on alkali diffusivity. However, when the contents of MgO are high, they are prone to form forsterite (Mg2SiO₄), thus causing the liquidus temperature to rise very steeply with the MgO contents above certain level. Herein, the embodied glasses contain MgO as the primary divalent cation oxide. As defined herein, Râ€²O comprises the mol % of MgO, CaO, SrO, and BaO in the glass composition. In some example embodiments, the glass composition can comprise from about 2 to about 25 mol % RO. In some compositions, the glass composition can comprise from about 2 to about 15 mol % RO. In other compositions, the glass composition can comprise from about 3 to about 10 mol % RO. In some embodiments, the glass composition can comprise from about 2 to about 25 mol %, about 2 to about 20 mol %, about 2 to about 15 mol %, about 2 to about 10 mol %, about 2 to about 7 mol %, about 3 to about 25 mol %, about 3 to about 20 mol %, about 3 to about 15 mol %, about 3 to about 10 mol %, about 3 to about 7 mol %, about 5 to about 25 mol %, about 5 to about 20 mol %, about 5 to about 15 mol %, about 5 to about 10 mol %, about 5 to about 7 mol %, about 7 to about 25 mol %, about 7 to about 20 mol %, about 7 to about 15 mol %, or about 7 to about 10 mol % RO. In some embodiments, the glass composition can comprise about 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, or 25 mol % RO.

The glass can comprise about 2 to about 10 mol % MgO. In some compositions, the glass composition can comprise about 2 to about 8 mol % MgO. In other cases, the glass composition can comprise about 3 to about 10 mol % MgO. In some embodiments, the glass composition can comprise about 2 to about 10 mol %, about 2 to about 8 mol %, about 2 to about 7 mol %, about 2 to about 5 mol %, about 3 to about 10 mol %, about 3 to about 8 mol %, about 3 to about 7 mol %, about 3 to about 5 mol %, about 5 to about 10 mol %, about 5 to about 8 mol %, or about 5 to about 7 mol % MgO. In some embodiments, the glass compositions can comprise about 0, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 mol % MgO.

In some embodiments, CaO can contribute to higher strain point, lower density, and lower melting temperature. CaO sources include limestone, an inexpensive material, so to the extent that volume and low cost are factors, in some embodiments it is can be useful to make the CaO content as high as can be reasonably achieved relative to other alkaline earth oxides. SrO and BaO can contribute to higher coefficient of thermal expansion, and the relative proportion of MgO, CaO, SrO and BaO can be manipulated to improve liquidus temperature, and thus liquidus viscosity. The glasses embodied herein can independently comprise 0 to 10 mol % CaO, SrO, and BaO. In some embodiments, the glass composition can independently comprise from >0 to about 10 mol % CaO, SrO, and BaO. The glass composition can comprise from 0 to about 10 mol %, 0 to about 8 mol %, 0 to about 5 mol %, 0 to 3 mol %, 0 to about 1 mol %, >0 to about 10 mol %, >0 to about 8 mol %, >0 to about 6 mol %, >0 to about 5 mol %, >0 to 3 mol %, >0 to about 1 mol %, about 2 to about 10 mol %, about 2 to about 8 mol %, about 2 to about 6 mol %, about 2 to about 5 mol %, about 3 to about 10 mol %, about 3 to about 8 mol %, about 3 to about 6 mol %, about 3 to about 5 mol %, about 5 to about 10 mol %, or about 5 to about 8 mol % CaO, SrO, and BaO. In some cases, the glass composition can comprise about 0, >0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 mol % CaO, SrO, and BaO.

Concentrations of ZrO₂may optionally be found in the glass as a function of the forming process or added as an additional component. In some embodiments, the glass can comprise from 0 to about 3 mol %, 0 to about 2 mol %, 0 to about 1 mol %, 0 to 0.5 mol %, 0 to 0.1 mol %, 0 to 0.05 mol %, 0 to 0.01 mol %, >0 to about 3 mol %, >0 to about 2 mol %, >0 to about 1 mol %, >0 to 0.5 mol %, >0 to 0.1 mol %, >0 to 0.05 mol % ZrO₂.

As a result of the raw materials and/or equipment used to produce the glass or glass ceramic composition of the present invention, certain impurities or components that are not intentionally added, can be present in the final glass or glass ceramic composition. Such materials are present in the glass or glass ceramic composition in minor amounts and are referred to herein as â€œtramp materials.â€

As used herein, a glass or glass ceramic composition having 0 mol % of a compound is defined as meaning that the compound, molecule, or element was not purposefully added to the composition, but the composition may still comprise the compound, typically in tramp or trace amounts. Similarly, â€œiron-free,â€ â€œsodium-free,â€ â€œlithium-free,â€ â€œzirconium-free,â€ â€œalkali earth metal-free,â€ â€œheavy metal-freeâ€ or the like are defined to mean that the compound, molecule, or element was not purposefully added to the composition, but the composition may still comprise iron, sodium, lithium, zirconium, alkali earth metals, or heavy metals, etc., but in approximately tramp or trace amounts. Tramp compounds that may be found in glass or glass ceramic embodied herein include, but are not limited to, Na₂O, TiO₂, MnO, ZnO, Nb₂O₅, MoO₃, Ta₂O₅, WO₃, ZrO₂, Y₂O₃, La₂O₃, HfO₂, CdO, SnO₂, Fe₂O₃, CeO₂, As₂O₃, Sb₂O₃, sulfur-based compounds, such as sulfates, halogens, or combinations thereof.

In some embodiments, the glass or glass ceramic further includes a chemical fining agent. Such fining agents include, but are not limited to, SnO₂, As₂O₃, Sb₂O₃, F, Cl and Br. In some embodiments, the concentrations of the chemical fining agents are kept at a level of 3, 2, 1, or 0.5, >0 mol %. In some embodiments, the fining agent amount is from >0 to about 3 mol %. Chemical fining agents may also include CeO₂, Fe₂O₃, and other oxides of transition metals, such as MnO₂. These oxides may introduce color to the glass or glass ceramic via visible absorptions in their final valence state(s) in the glass, and thus, when present, their concentration is usually kept at a level of 0.5, 0.4, 0.3, 0.2, 0.1 or >0 mol %.

Compared to As₂O₃and Sb₂O₃fining, tin fining (i.e., SnO₂fining) is less effective, but SnO₂is a ubiquitous material that has no known hazardous properties. Tin fining can be used alone or in combination with other fining techniques if desired. For example, tin fining can be combined with halide fining, e.g., bromine fining. Other possible combinations include, but are not limited to, tin fining plus sulfate, sulfide, cerium oxide, mechanical bubbling, and/or vacuum fining. It is contemplated that these other fining techniques can be used alone. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,785,726, 6,128,924, 5,824,127 and co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 11/116,669, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties, disclose processes for manufacturing arsenic-free glasses. U.S. Pat. No. 7,696,113, incorporated by reference in its entirety, discloses a process for manufacturing arsenic- and antimony-free glass using iron and tin to minimize gaseous inclusions.

The glasses or glass ceramics can also contain SnO₂either as a result of Joule melting using tin-oxide electrodes, through the batching of tin containing materials, e.g., SnO₂, SnO, SnCO₃, SnC₂O₂, etc., or through addition of SnO₂as an agent to adjust various physical, melting, and forming attributes. The glass can comprise from 0 to about 3 mol %, 0 to about 2 mol %, 0 to about 1 mol %, 0 to 0.5 mol %, or 0 to 0.1 mol % SnO₂.

In some embodiments, the glass can be substantially free of Sb₂O₃, As₂O₃, or combinations thereof. For example, the glass can comprise 0.05 weight percent or less of Sb₂O₃or As₂O₃or a combination thereof, the glass may comprise zero weight percent of Sb₂O₃or As₂O₃or a combination thereof, or the glass may be, for example, free of any intentionally added Sb₂O₃, As₂O₃, or combinations thereof.

Additional components can be incorporated into the glass compositions to provide additional benefits or alternatively, can further comprise contaminants typically found in commercially-prepared glass. For example, additional components can be added to adjust various physical, melting, and forming attributes. The glasses, according to some embodiments, can also include various contaminants associated with batch materials and/or introduced into the glass by the melting, fining, and/or forming equipment used to produce the glass (e.g., ZrO₂). In some embodiments, the glass may comprise one or more compounds useful as ultraviolet radiation absorbers. In some embodiments, the glass can comprise 3 mol % or less TiO₂, MnO, ZnO, Nb₂O₅, MoO₃, Ta₂O₅, WO₃, ZrO₂, Y₂O₃, La₂O₃, HfO₂, CdO, Fe₂O₃, CeO₂, halogens, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the glass can comprise from 0 to about 3 mol %, 0 to about 2 mol %, 0 to about 1 mol %, 0 to 0.5 mol %, 0 to 0.1 mol %, 0 to 0.05 mol %, or 0 to 0.01 mol % TiO₂, MnO, ZnO, Nb₂O₅, MoO₃, Ta₂O₅, WO₃, ZrO₂, Y₂O₃, La₂O₃, HfO₂, CdO, CeO₂, Fe₂O₃, halogens, or combinations thereof.

Non-limiting examples of embodied glasses are listed in Table 1. The compositions were analyzed by x-ray fluorescence and ICP. Anneal and strain points were determined by beam bending viscometry. Softening point was determined by parallel plate viscometry. Coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) is the average value between 20Â° C. and 300Â° C.

TABLE 1Composition (mol %)23456789Al₂O₃10.010.012.010.010.011.09.78.9Na₂O9.89.811.89.89.810.89.88.8MgO7.13.03.15.13.13.03.03.0B₂O₃9.713.4 9.79.711.79.79.89.8SiO₂63.363.563.265.365.365.367.469.2SnO₂0.20.20.20.20.20.20.20.2Anneal Pt (Â° C.):595565585590572592586589Strain Pt (Â° C.):549518536542523542536537Softening Pt (Â° C.):815.4792.5826.8824.2816.2839.3838.7855.4Density (g/cm3):2.3782.3272.3682.3602.3362.3552.3422.328CTE (Ã—10^âˆ’7/Â° C.):62.861.367.861.161.365.160.457.3

As shown in FIG. 1, the high temperature viscosities of the embodied glasses intersect the optimal process window for float-based technologies. This process window is determined by the tin vapor pressure, heating capacity of roof and glass forming viscosity, as noted in U.S. Pat. No. 6,065,309, and U.S. Pat. Publ. Nos. 2006/0288736 and 2008/0028795, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.

Ion exchange is widely used to chemically strengthen glass articles for use in consumer electronics, automotive applications, appliances, architectural components, and other areas where high levels of damage resistance are desirable. In the ion exchange process, a glass article containing a first metal ion (e.g., alkali cations in Li₂O, Na₂O, etc.) is at least partially immersed in or otherwise contacted with an ion exchange bath or medium containing a second metal ion that is either larger or smaller than the first metal ion that is present in the glass. The first metal ions diffuse from the glass surface into the ion exchange bath/medium while the second metal ions from the ion exchange bath/medium replace the first metal ions in the glass to a depth of layer below the surface of the glass. The substitution of larger ions for smaller ions in the glass creates a compressive stress at the glass surface, whereas substitution of smaller ions for larger ions in the glass typically creates a tensile stress at the surface of the glass. In some embodiments, the first metal ion and second metal ion are monovalent alkali metal ions. However, other monovalent metal ions such as Ag⁺, Tl⁺, Cu⁺, and the like may also be used in the ion exchange process. In those instances where at least one of Ag⁺ and Cu⁺ is exchanged for metal ions in the glass, such glasses may be particularly useful for anti-viral and/or anti-microbial applications.

Table 2 presents ion exchange properties of the glasses from Table 1. The data in Table 2 is pictorially represented in FIGS. 2A-2C. The ion exchanges were performed for annealed glasses, and glasses fictivated at temperatures 20Â° C. and 60Â° C. above annealing point, respectively. The compressive stress (CS) and depth of layer (DOL) were obtained as a result of treatment of samples in refined grade KNO₃. The ion-exchange treatments were carried out at 410Â° C. for 4, 8 and 16 hours. The CS and DOL are stated in the units of MPa and Î¼m, respectively.

TABLE 2Composition23456789AnnealedCS (MPa)713.4601.9818.2696.4656.9746.4683.1613.9DOL (Î¼m)15.212.416.613.414.113.113.213.4IOX temp. (Â° C.) 410410410410410410410410IOX time (h)44444444CS (MPa)696.1588.7787.2678.3619.1722.4662.7596.4DOL (Î¼m)21.515.722.023.119.322.122.922.4IOX temp. (Â° C.)410410410410410410410410IOX time (h)88888888CS (MPa)669.6648.6742.5500.7585.9687.9620.9566.0DOL (Î¼m)31.831.832.228.627.632.230.531.7IOX temp. (Â° C.)410410410410410410410410IOX time (h)1616161616161616Fictivated at 20Â° C. above annealing pointCS (MPa)643.6558.7790.6618.4596.0680.7616.9557.4DOL ( Î¼m)17.712.117.919.816.419.518.218.5IOX temp. (Â° C.) 410410410410410410410410IOX time (h)44444444CS (MPa)636.4522.0754.9615.0562.5652.1597.9538.0DOL (Î¼m)26.218.924.827.423.527.125.026.8IOX temp. (Â° C.)410410410410410410410410IOX time (h)88888888CS (MPa)607.6485.7713.4592.8529.7613.6565.6509.8DOL (Î¼m)37.228.135.437.032.138.636.736.9IOX temp. (Â° C.)410410410410410410410410IOX time (h)1616161616161616Fictivated at 60Â° C. above annealing pointCS (MPa)618.2489.6680.5590.8535.1621.5565.7 495.7DOL (Î¼m)19.516.421.120.318.320.521.020.3IOX temp. (Â° C.)410410410410410410410410IOX time (h)44444444CS (MPa)589.4456.6639.0563.2503.7 591.4534.0472.9DOL (Î¼m)27.622.530.028.724.129.427.228.2IOX temp. (Â° C.)410410410410410410410410IOX time (h)88888888CS (MPa)546.4423.1607.0 537.7 465.9555.4505.0 446.5DOL (Î¼m)37.631.140.938.834.141.239.839.1IOX temp. (Â° C.)410410410410410410410410IOX time (h)1616161616161616

In some embodiments, the glasses and glass articles described herein may be ion exchanged to achieve a compressive stress of at least about 300 MPa and/or a depth of compressive layer of at least about 10 Î¼m. In some embodiments, the glasses and glass articles described herein may be ion exchanged to achieve a compressive stress of at least about 500 MPa and/or a depth of compressive layer of at least about 40 Î¼m. In some embodiments, the glass is ion exchanged to achieve a compressive stress of at least about 200, 300, 400, 500, or 600 MPa. In some embodiments, the glass is ion exchanged to achieve a depth of layer of at least about 10 Î¼m, 20 Î¼m, 30 Î¼m, or 40 Î¼m, or more.

In addition to high damage resistance, the glasses described herein may be ion exchanged to achieve desired levels of compressive stress and compressive depth of layer in relatively short times. Following ion exchange at 410Â° C. for 4 hours in molten KNO₃salt, for example, a compressive layer having a compressive stress of greater than about 500 MPa and a depth of compressive layer of greater than about 15 Î¼m may be achieved in these glasses. In some embodiments, the ion exchange is done at about 400Â° C., 410Â° C., 420Â° C., 430Â° C., 440Â° C., 450Â° C., 460Â° C., 470Â° C., 480Â° C., 490Â° C., 500Â° C., 510Â° C., 520Â° C., 530Â° C., 540Â° C., or 550Â° C. or greater. In some embodiments, the ion exchange is done for about 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more than 10 hours.

The ability to ion exchange the glasses described herein may be at least partially attributable to the fact that these glasses have interdiffusion coefficients that are significantly greater that those of other floatable glasses that are used in applications in which damage resistance, as characterized by the Vickers crack initiation threshold of the glass, is a desirable attribute. At 410Â° C., the glasses described herein have a potassium/sodium interdiffusion coefficient of at least about 2.4Ã—10^âˆ’10cm²/s, 3.0Ã—10^âˆ’10cm²/s, 4.0Ã—10^âˆ’10cm²/s, or 4.5Ã—10^âˆ’10cm²/s, 6.0Ã—10^âˆ’10cm²/s, 7.5Ã—10^âˆ’10cm²/s, 9.0Ã—10^âˆ’1Â° cm²/s, 1.0Ã—10^âˆ’9cm²/s, 1.2Ã—10^âˆ’9cm²/s, 1.5Ã—10^âˆ’9cm²/s and in some embodiments, in a range from about 2.4Ã—10^âˆ’10cm²/s, 3.0Ã—10^âˆ’10cm²/s, 4.0Ã—10^âˆ’10cm^âˆ’2/s, or 4.5Ã—10^âˆ’10cm²/s up to about 7.5Ã—10^âˆ’10cm²/s, 9.0Ã—10^âˆ’10cm²/s, 1.0Ã—10^âˆ’9cm²/s, 1.2Ã—10^âˆ’9cm²/s, or 1.5Ã—10^âˆ’9cm²/s. In contrast to these glasses, the alkali aluminosilicate glasses described in U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 12/858,490, 12/856,840, and 12/392,577, herein incorporated by reference in their entireties, have potassium/sodium interdiffusion coefficients of less than 1.5Ã—10^âˆ’10cm²/s.

Vickers indentation cracking threshold measurements described herein are performed by applying and then removing an indentation load to the glass surface at a rate of 0.2 mm/min. The maximum indentation load is held for 10 seconds. The indentation cracking threshold is defined at the indentation load at which 50% of 10 indents exhibit any number of radial/median cracks emanating from the corners of the indent impression. The maximum load is increased until the threshold is met for a given glass composition. All indentation measurements are performed at room temperature in 50% relative humidity.

In some embodiments, the glass compositions have high damage resistance. In some cases, the glass compositions have Vickers cracking thresholds of greater than 7 kilograms force (kgf). In some embodiments, the glass compositions have Vickers cracking thresholds of greater than 12 kgf, 15 kgf, 20 kgf, 25 kgf, 30 kgf, or 40 kgf. FIGS. 3A-3C pictorially show the indentation threshold performance for glasses compositions in Table 1. Glasses were ion-exchanged at 410Â° C. for 4, 8 and 16 hours. The ion exchanging was performed for annealed glass, and those fictivated at 20Â° C. and 60Â° C. above annealing point.

While typical embodiments have been set forth for the purpose of illustration, the foregoing description should not be deemed to be a limitation on the scope of the disclosure or appended claims. Accordingly, various modifications, adaptations, and alternatives may occur to one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure or appended claims.