Measurement of very slow crack growth in glass

The rate of very slow crack growth in glass is measured by inducing small, controllable changes in the direction of propagation of Hertzian cone cracks at known times. After completion of a growth sequence, the sample is sectioned to reveal the fracture surface. The stress intensity factor at each stage of crack growth is calculated by using finite-element modeling of the stresses near the crack tip. Data are presented for crack growth velocities as low as 10(-14) m/s in soda-lime glass. These data provide strong evidence for the existence of a subcritical limit for crack growth in this material.