Silicate glass alteration is a complex process involving ion-exchange, hydrolysis, and gel formation, with different mechanisms dominating depending on the glass composition and environment. While progress has been made in understanding these mechanisms at various scales, developing holistic models that accurately predict long-term behavior remains a challenge, especially for complex systems like nuclear waste glass.

The authors declare no competing interests, however, the research is funded by CEA (VESTALE project). While this doesn't necessarily indicate a conflict, it's worth considering that CEA is involved in nuclear waste management, which relies on understanding glass alteration for safe disposal.

This review article provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of knowledge on silicate glass alteration mechanisms, covering various factors and kinetic regimes. It highlights the progress made in understanding the processes at different scales, from molecular mechanisms to macroscopic behavior. However, the paper also acknowledges the limitations of current models and identifies several unresolved issues, especially for complex environments and long-term predictions. The reliance on simulations and some uncertainty regarding the combined effects of various factors prevent a rating of 5, but the comprehensive nature and the identification of key challenges make it a strong contribution to the field.