Holzer M, Johansen SM, Christensen JF, Smedskjaer MM, Cicconi MR, de Ligny D, Müller R, de Camargo AS, Maaß R (2026)
Publication Type: Journal article
Publication year: 2026
Book Volume: 29
Article Number: 100669
DOI: 10.1016/j.mtadv.2025.100669
Oxide glasses are intrinsically brittle, lacking sufficient atomic-scale mechanisms that can relax mechanical stresses in the vicinity of a propagating crack. As a result, fracture is typically well-captured by considering local bond rupture at the crack tip. Here we demonstrate that barrier energies related to the low-temperature γ-relaxation mode in alkali-aluminosilicate glasses are inversely related to the fracture toughness measured via standardized three-point bending fracture experiments. This holds true for both a series with varying cations (Li, Na, K) and one with varying Li concentration. The structural rationale for this finding is gained via Raman spectroscopy. The findings suggest that a fundamental structural relaxation mode measured on bulk specimens can serve as an effective guideline for fracture toughness of oxide glasses. Data for additional silicate glasses support this conclusion.
APA:
Holzer, M., Johansen, S.M., Christensen, J.F., Smedskjaer, M.M., Cicconi, M.R., de Ligny, D.,... Maaß, R. (2026). Direct connection between secondary relaxation mode and fracture toughness in alkali-aluminosilicate glasses. Materials Today Advances, 29. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mtadv.2025.100669
MLA:
Holzer, Marco, et al. "Direct connection between secondary relaxation mode and fracture toughness in alkali-aluminosilicate glasses." Materials Today Advances 29 (2026).
BibTeX: Download