Corelle plates have always been that way, I think. I was raised using them, and I still buy them now that I have children of my own.
For me, they're 100% shatterproof until they're not. You can drop them over and over again, and never notice any visible change. But then when they finally do shatter, it's almost like an explosion.
I think this is because they're built from a pressurized metal/glass layered composite. Very sturdy until enough internal damage builds up.
More or less matches my experience, including having been raised eating on Corelle dishes. They'll take drop after drop and then suddenly the last one leaves a giant mess to sweep up. Every time.
I have discovered that if you leave a Corelle plate outside during the winter, in the spring it will be broken into little bitty pieces. It can't handle the freeze and thaw cycles which surprised me.
A little bit of on purpose, a little bit of not caring. I had it underneath a small plant pot and just left it out there. I found it interesting that it can handle hot thermal stress (expansion) but not cold (contraction).
For me, they're 100% shatterproof until they're not. You can drop them over and over again, and never notice any visible change. But then when they finally do shatter, it's almost like an explosion.
I think this is because they're built from a pressurized metal/glass layered composite. Very sturdy until enough internal damage builds up.