Self-Affine Quasi-Static Fracture of Soda-Lime Glass

In the present work we discuss the self-affine properties of the fracture surfaces of sodalime glass obtained under quasi-static conditions. The fracture surfaces are generated using a threepoint bending system in normal room conditions and under high humidity conditions. The surfaces were recorded both by Scanning Electron Microscopy and Atomic Force Microscopy, and their selfaffine properties are characterized using the Variable Bandwidth method. For both conditions it is observed that the major part of the fracture surface is occupied by the mirror zone. On the other hand, the self-affine analysis reveals that for both conditions the roughness exponent has values centred at around 0.58 with moderate dispersion, in agreement with previous results. Our findings support the hypothesis of the existence of a characteristic roughness exponent for quasi-static fracture with a value that is significantly lower than the value of 0.8 reported for rapid fracture conditions.