The tensile strength of glass shells

Conference · Fri Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1988

OSTI ID:7123255

Ebner, M A; Miller, W J; Evans, J L

Glass shells used as ICF fuel containers must withstand extreme external and internal pressure. A shell's resistance to external pressure (compressive strength) determines how rapidly it can be filled with fuel by permation; its resistance to internal pressure (tensile strength) determines how much gaseous fuel it can ultimately hold. Tensile strength is difficult to study because it is a function of the history of the glass and does not have an inherent value. While the theoretical strength of glass is on the order of 1.38 to 3.44 x 10/sup 10/ Pa, the actual strength of a particular glass object is usually several orders of magnitude lower, and is determined by the flaw population. Furthermore, tensile failure can occur either by stress intensification at the tips of surface flaws and defects, or by crack growth induced by stress corrosion (delayed failure or fatigue). Consequently, since flaws are generally produced on the surface of glass objects by handling and exposure to an abrasive or reactive environment, glass fracture is highly random in nature. These considerations have caused increasing concern in target fabrication as target sizes have increased and specifications become more stringent. We seek to determine the effects on tensile strength of the permeant gas, and of the geometric characteristics, surface area, and glass volume of the shells. As the failures have become more costly, greater target reliability (or predictability) has become increasingly desirable. We have therefore resumed studies to determine the effective tensile strength of glass shells. 13 refs., 5 figs., 1 tab.

• Research Organization: KMS Fusion, Inc., Ann Arbor, MI (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC03-87DP10560
• OSTI ID: 7123255
• Report Number(s): KMSF-U-1975; CONF-8806170-7; ON: DE88013011
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
700205* -- Fusion Power Plant Technology-- Fuel
Heating
& Injection Systems
700209 -- Fusion Power Plant Technology-- Component Development & Materials Testing
CONFINEMENT
CONTAINMENT
CONTAINMENT SHELLS
DATA ANALYSIS
FABRICATION
FAILURES
FUELS
GLASS
INERTIAL CONFINEMENT
LASER TARGETS
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
PLASMA CONFINEMENT
PRESSURE DEPENDENCE
STRESSES
TARGETS
TENSILE PROPERTIES
THERMONUCLEAR FUELS