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Advancing the Mechanical Performance of Glasses: Perspectives and Challenges
Lothar Wondraczek1,2, Eran Bouchbinder3, Allen Ehrlicher4
1Otto Schott Institute of Materials Research, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Fraunhoferstrasse 6, 07743, Jena, Germany.
Advanced Materials (Deerfield Beach, Fla.)
|December 6, 2021
Summary
This study explores advanced glass materials, focusing on their unique disordered structure and improved mechanical properties. Research highlights novel glass types and design approaches for enhanced material performance and reduced brittleness.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Solid State Chemistry
Background:
- Glasses lack crystalline structure, exhibiting disorder that significantly impacts mechanical properties like strength and fracture toughness.
- Understanding these structure-property relationships is crucial for fundamental glass physics and designing advanced materials.
- Traditional glasses are brittle, limiting their application; novel materials aim to overcome this while retaining transparency and desirable tactile qualities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a perspective on the interdisciplinary field of glass science, focusing on recent challenges and opportunities.
- To highlight the importance of structure-property relations in designing high-performance glass-like materials.
- To discuss novel approaches in glass material design and fabrication.
Main Methods:
- Bottom-up design strategies based on structure-property relationships.
- Modeling of stresses and strains at relevant length scales.
- Machine learning predictions for material properties.
- Fabrication approaches informed by the physics of structural disorder and dynamic fracture.
Main Results:
- Novel oxide glasses, hybrid glasses, phase-separated glasses, and bioinspired glass-polymer composites show promise for improved mechanical performance.
- A scientifically driven approach to materials design and processing is essential for developing these advanced materials.
- Understanding structural disorder is key to controlling mechanical responses, defect initiation, and dynamic fracture.
Conclusions:
- Advanced glass materials offer a pathway to overcome the brittleness of traditional glasses while maintaining desirable properties.
- Interdisciplinary research combining physics, chemistry, and data science is driving innovation in glass science.
- Future research should focus on leveraging structural disorder for tailored mechanical responses and enhanced material performance.
