Research Projects: Structural Materials
This list is not intended to be fully comprehensive; other topics can be negotiated with individual staff members. Additional projects will be notified in supplements issued periodically during the session. Under each major heading the projects are grouped according to the prime supervisor (with the supervisors in alphabetical order of surname).
131 THE MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF GLASSES AS A FUNCTION OF COMPOSITION
Supervisor: Prof R J Hand
The effects of composition on the mechanical properties of silicate glasses are not well understood. Recent work both at Sheffield and elsewhere suggests that composition does have an effect on the mechanical properties of silicate glasses. Similar compositional dependence is expected with other glass types. Projects are available to look at the mechanical properties of silicate, borosilicate or iron phosphate glasses as a function of composition. All of the projects will utilise the glass-making facilities available at Sheffield to produce a range of glass compositions of the chosen glass type. A variety of mechanical properties including strength and toughness will be measured. Nanoindentation will be used to assess the near surface mechanical properties of the glasses after exposure to different environments. The flaws that cause failure in these glasses will also be investigated by optical and electron microscopy. The overall aim of the project will be to elucidate links between the mechanical properties and composition with a specific aim of trying to understand what compositional parameters control the ease of Griffith flaw formation in glasses. If a project on the mechanical properties of glasses interests you please contact Dr RJ Hand to discuss details of the projects currently available.