Glass Flashcards
What is laminated glass (LG)?
Laminated glass is a type of safety glass that holds together when shattered due to an interlayer made of polymer such as polyvinyl butyral (PVB), ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), or thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU).
What is the main advantage of laminated glass in case of breakage?
The interlayer prevents the glass from breaking into large sharp pieces, holding the shattered glass together.
What is obsidian?
Obsidian is a naturally occurring volcanic glass.
What is leaded glass?
Leaded glass contains lead oxide, which increases its density and makes it highly refractive, often used in decorative applications.
What is borosilicate glass, and where is it used?
Borosilicate glass contains boron oxide (B₂O₃), making it more heat-resistant. It is used in cookware, thermometers, and automobile headlights.
What is tempered glass, and how does it break?
Tempered glass is strengthened by heating and rapid cooling, causing it to shatter into small, solid pieces rather than sharp shards.
What are the three major types of glass encountered as forensic evidence?
Sheet (flat) glass, container glass, and glass fibers.
What is float glass?
Float glass is manufactured by cooling molten glass on a bath of molten tin, creating flat and uniform sheets for windows.
What is a radial fracture in glass?
Radial fractures extend outward from the point of impact, resembling the spokes of a wheel.
What is a concentric fracture in glass?
Concentric fractures form circular patterns around the point of impact.
Which fracture appears first: radial or concentric?
Radial fractures appear first, followed by concentric fractures.
How can fracture patterns help determine the direction of impact?
The first fractures (radial) form on the opposite side of the impact, while concentric fractures form on the same side as the force.
Why don’t glass fractures follow a crystal lattice pattern?
Glass is amorphous, meaning it lacks a crystalline structure, causing fractures to be random.
