Atomic-scale modeling of crack branching in oxide glass

Brittle oxide glasses can easily break into fragments because of crack branching during fracture. The fundamental mechanism underlying this common phenomenon remains controversial. In study, using atomic-scale simulations with three independent force fields, we directly observe in silica glass. critical speed at which the branches increases far field loading. atomic revealed that brittle glass is triggered by nucleation two or cavities different directions ahead running tip. We compared simulation results to observed on fracture surface a fiber broken under high stress.