Statistical analysis of threshold load for radial crack nucleation by Vickers indentation in commercial soda-lime silica glass

• Published in: Journal of non-crystalline solids 2006-09, Vol.352 (32-35), p.3544-3549
• Main Authors: Mikowski, A., Serbena, F.C., Foerster, C.E., Lepienski, C.M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Condensed matter: structure, mechanical and thermal properties; Deformation and plasticity (including yield, ductility, and superplasticity); Exact sciences and technology; Fatigue, brittleness, fracture, and cracks; Fracture; Indentation; Mechanical and acoustical properties of condensed matter; Mechanical properties; Mechanical properties of solids; Microindentation; Physics; Soda-lime silica
• ISSN: 0022-3093; 1873-4812
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jnoncrysol.2006.02.112

The threshold load for nucleation of primary radial cracks in commercial soda-lime silica glass was investigated at room temperature by using Vickers indentation. The Weibull statistics with three-parameters was employed to analyze the number of cracks nucleated around each indentation as function of the applied load. The used probability estimator was (n−0.5)/N, where n is the total number of radial cracks nucleated at a specific load and N is the total number of possible cracks. The minimum applied load for radial crack nucleation that best fitted the experimental data was equal to 180mN. Comparison between experimental data distribution and the binomial distribution was also performed. The results were interpreted according to the fracture mechanics models for sub-threshold indentation flaws of Lathabai et al. and for crack initiation in elastic/plastic indentation of Lawn and Marshall.