MICROSTRUCTURE AND MECHANICAL-PROPERTIES OF SINTERED GLASS

Glass microspheres have been sintered under argon in order to obtain sintered brittle bodies over a large range of density. During sintering, the microstructure evolves from a stacking of spheres to a body containing isolated pores. This evolution of the microstructure is described using image analysis and mathematical morphology. Mechanical properties are also investigated as a function of density. Special attention was paid to fracture toughness because, due to the isotropic behaviour of glass, internal stresses of the second order do not exist. A maximum of GIC is observed and it can be correlated with changes in the morphological parameters. © 1990 Chapman and Hall Ltd.