Subcritical crack growth parameters in glass as a function of environmental conditions

In the present work, subcritical crack growth in soda-lime silicate glass is investigated under different environmental conditions. Crack growth parameters as a function of temperature and humidity were determined by dynamic fatigue tests, which has been verified by using the in-situ method of filming crack growth during experiments. The specimens were pre-damaged for constant initial crack lengths in all specimens using the Vickers indentation test. The determined parameters were compared with those from literature in order to discuss existing deviations of sub-critical crack growth parameters in literature. These deviations may be caused by environmental conditions and different chemical compositions of the glass. Arrest lines were used to determine the ratio of crack width to crack depth in Vickers indented specimens. For the initial crack depth, images of fracture surfaces were taken using an scanning electron microscope. Furthermore, the influence of humidity and temperature on the failure stress of unindented specimens with a constant initial crack length was simulated.

Automated summary

Subcritical crack growth in soda-lime silicate glass was investigated under different environmental conditions, with parameters determined by dynamic fatigue tests and compared with literature data to discuss existing deviations. Methods included Vickers indentation pre-damage, ratio calculation of crack width to depth, and analysis of fracture surface images taken with a scanning electron microscope. Additionally, simulations were conducted on the influence of humidity and temperature on failure stress in unindented specimens with constant initial crack length.