Flaw Distributions In Glass Surfaces And Mechanisms Of Surface Damage

The conclusion of this investigation is that strength measurements made by pressing a hardened steel ball against a glass surface can be satisfactorily interpreted in terms of flaw statistics, provided that the surface does not contain a high concentration of deep flaws. The technique is most suitable for characterising the surface condition of high strength surfaces which have been only lightly damaged. A limitation of the technique is that it may fail to detect the most severe flaws on the surface which determine the strength when relatively large areas of the glass are subjected to stress.