Subcritical Crack Growth Parameters for Glass under Different Environmental Conditions

Abstract

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. The specimens were pre-damaged for constant initial crack lengths in all specimens using the Vickers indenter. The initial flaw size induced by the Vickers indenter was obtained by a scanning electron microscope picture of the fracture surface, which could also show the initial flaw geometry. Furthermore, the influence of humidity and temperature on the failure stress of specimens with a constant initial crack length was simulated and the deviations are shown. A comprehensive version of this investigation is currently (16.03.2021) under review in the Journal for Glass Structures and Engineering.