This study investigates the impact of aqueous corrosion on the mechanical properties of pharmaceutical boroaluminosilicate (BAS) glasses. Prolonged corrosion increases the alteration layer (AL) thickness, leading to decreased nanohardness, reduced modulus, nanowear resistance, and Vickers hardness due to water-related species in the AL. However, the corrosion-induced "silica-like" structure within the AL enhances subsurface densification during nanoindentation and nanowear, thereby improving fracture toughness. The correlation between water content in the AL and mechanical properties is established, providing insights for designing tougher pharmaceutical glasses.
