Quartz: Anomalous Weakness of Synthetic Crystals
Abstract
The strength of a synthetic quartz crystal drops rapidly at 400 degrees C, and at 600 degrees C is a hyndredfold lower than at 300 degrees C. Large plastic deformations can be produced without fracture. The predominant mechanism of deformation is translation gliding. The preferred explanation for this anomalous weakness is that this synthetic quartz contains water which has hydrolyzed the siliconoxygen bonds. The silanol groups so formed are presumed to be rendered sufficiently mobile by elevating the temperature to 400 degrees C so that they align themselves in dislocation lines and move through the crystal with the dislocation under the small applied shear stress.
- Publication:
-
Science
- Pub Date:
- January 1965
- DOI:
- 10.1126/science.147.3655.292
- Bibcode:
- 1965Sci...147..292G