Understanding Gorilla Glass: Strength, Durability, and More

Gorilla Glass is the premier choice for protecting electronic devices. Known for its strength and durability, this high-quality glass is used in smartphones, tablets, and laptops. Developed by Corning Inc., Gorilla Glass undergoes a proprietary chemical strengthening process, offering superior scratch and impact resistance compared to standard glass.

What is Gorilla Glass?

Gorilla Glass is a special type of glass trademarked and manufactured by the US company, Corning Inc., founded in 1851 as Corning Glass Works. The company later changed its name to Corning Inc. and has research centers in Japan and Taiwan, in addition to its headquarters in New York. The name 'Gorilla Glass' comes from the strength of the gorilla, symbolizing its durability. Interestingly, Gorilla Glass does not break easily; the latest generation, Gorilla Glass 6, remained intact after 15 consecutive drop tests from 1 m to uneven ground. The fifth-generation Gorilla Glass survived falls from 1.8 m in 80% of cases.

Chemical Composition and Process

Gorilla Glass is fundamentally an aluminosilicate glass, made primarily from sand-based chemicals, including aluminum, silicon, and oxygen. After its initial creation, the glass is placed in a molten salt bath at 400°C. This process, known as ion exchange, replaces sodium ions with larger potassium ions, enhancing the density and thus increasing the glass's strength and durability.

Generations of Gorilla Glass

Gorilla Glass has evolved through several generations, with each offering advancements in strength, scratch resistance, and overall durability:

Gorilla Glass 3 (2013): Offered three times the scratch resistance of competitors. Gorilla Glass 5 (2016): Designed to survive drops to heights of up to 1.6 m. Gorilla Glass Victus (2020): Can survive drops from 2 m and has enhanced scratch resistance.

Each generation has been rigorously tested to ensure superior performance and reliability.

Impact Resistance and Durability

The impact resistance of Gorilla Glass is a significant factor. It is specifically designed to absorb impacts, making it much less likely to shatter when dropped compared to regular glass. The flexural strength of Gorilla Glass is also crucial, as it can withstand considerable bending forces without breaking. This is particularly beneficial for devices subjected to pressure and stress during use.

Applications and Recycling

Beyond smartphones, Gorilla Glass is used in various devices, including tablets, laptops, and even smartwatches. Additionally, it is employed in the automotive industry, demonstrating its versatility. The primary component of Gorilla Glass is glass itself, making it recyclable like other glasses. It is not harmful to the environment when recycled separately.

Antimicrobial Gorilla Glass

Antimicrobial Gorilla Glass combines strength with germ-fighting properties. This innovative glass is designed to protect user devices from germs, a crucial feature in the current era. Many devices, including smartphones and smartwatches, feature Gorilla Glass Protected displays. While Gorilla Glass is a dominant choice, it has competition, such as Dragontrail Glass by Asahi and sapphire glass used in the Apple Watch.