Chapter 04 of 5
Stress and Strength
Understanding Prince Rupert’s drops and tempered toughness.
- Internal Tension
The Mystery of Strength
Glass is theoretically stronger than steel, but its internal structure makes it vulnerable to tiny surface flaws.
- Paradox
Prince Rupert's Drop
This tadpole-shaped glass bead is created by dropping molten glass into cold water, instantly freezing the exterior.
- Mechanism
The Outer Shell
As the exterior cools instantly, it forms a rigid, compressive crust around the still-molten interior.
17 more cards in this chapter
Could you answer this?
What happens to the atoms in chemically strengthened glass during the ion exchange process?
💎 Is Glass Really a Liquid?
- 01The Liquid MythDebunking the 'slow-flowing' glass theory through molecular reality.
- 02Obsidian to FluxFrom volcanic glass to the chemistry of Roman natron.
- 03The Secrets of MuranoThe hunt for 'cristallo' and the battle against iron impurities.
- 04Stress and StrengthUnderstanding Prince Rupert’s drops and tempered toughness.
- 05The Float and the FiberModern breakthroughs from molten tin to light-speed data.