CONTROLLED CHEMICAL STRENGTHENING OF THIN GLASS

摘要

Apparatus, systems and methods for increasing the strength of glass articles are disclosed. The strengthened glass articles are well suited for use in consumer products, such as consumer electronic devices (e.g., portable electronic devices). For example, a glass article can pertain to a glass cover for a housing of an electronic device, such as a portable electronic device. In one embodiment, techniques are described for selectively strengthening glass articles. In another embodiment, use of multi-bath chemical processing to facilitate controlled chemical strengthening for a glass article is described. Through multi-bath (or multi-step) chemical processing, differing levels of strengthening can be achieved for different portions of glass articles. Accordingly, glass articles that have undergone strengthening processing are able to be not only thin but also sufficiently strong and resistant to damage.