Indentation contact mechanics of silicate glasses and their rheological functions

Abstract

The time-dependent viscoelastic deformation and flow of various types of silicate glasses are examined by the use of a pyramidal Berkovich indenter. A pyramidal indenter is demonstrated to be an efficient microprobe for viscoelastic studies of glass-forming materials at temperatures near the glass transition point. Determined are some important rheological functions, indicating that a model of thermally fragmented silicate clusters is appropriate for representing the microstructure of silicate glass family.