The Fractography and Crack Patterns of Broken Glass

The topographical features which appear on the fracture surfaces of broken glass objects and the resulting crack patterns which develop are Nature’s documentation of the fracture event. They are considered after a brief discussion of glass strength. Strength is central to the fracture surface features for it determines the strain energy release rate and the dynamics of crack extension. The surface features known as the mirror, the mist, and the hackle are illustrated and addressed through the principles of fracture mechanics and associated energy criteria. Quantitative aspects of the fracture process such as the stress level at fracture for a glass object are directly related to the size of the fracture mirror. The concept of a fracture mirror constant is related to the strength. Formation of the mist and hackle surface regions are also fundamentally addressed, as is crack branching. Distinctive crack patterns that evolve during fracture, that is the traces of the cracks intersecting the glass free surfaces, are described. Dicing fragmentation of high-strength tempered glass and the long sword-like shards of low-strength annealed glass fracture are contrasted through their strain energies. Characteristic cracking patterns are reviewed for several common glass fractures including those for pressure breaks, both bottle explosions and flat glass window failures from wind pressure whose basic similarities are described. The patterns of crack branching or forking, the branching angles and the crack length prior to forking, are also discussed. Other glass crack patterns such as those from impact and thermal stress are also considered.