Brittleness Control of Silica Glass Surface Irradiated by Sheet Electron Beam

Abstract

Influences of sheet electron beam irradiation on brittleness, fracture load and fracture toughness were studied for silica glass surface. The irradiation, which is one of short-time treatments at low temperature below boiling point of water, restrained the brittleness and enhanced fracture load and fracture toughness of silica glass surface. The brittleness restrain can be explained by the stress relaxation, which was induced by increase in free volume related to dangling bonds.