Limitation of Griffith Flaws in Glass‐Matrix Composites

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Abstract
The effect of the limitation of Griffith flaws, introduced in an abraded surface of glass, on the strength of glass‐tungsten composites was investigated for small sizes of Griffith flaws. Hasselman and Fulrath's proposed fracture theory for this type of system extended to small flaw sizes. The use of tungsten spheres with two particle sizes or a wide distribution about one average size as the dispersed phase in a glass matrix decreased the average mean free path in the matrix more than could be achieved with a single particle size dispersion. Average mean free paths determined experimentally by statistical techniques were in good agreement with those calculated by Fullman's equation. This technique was successfully used when the dispersed phase had two particle sizes or a wide particle size distribution. The strong effect of internal stresses caused by a mismatch of thermal expansion of the phases in reducing the strength of a composite was demonstrated.

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