Relative significance of temperature gradient components on cracking behavior in glass panes under thermal radiation

The effect of temperature gradient components on cracking behavior of glass panes under thermal radiation was studied. A series of experiments and finite element simulations using ANSYS were performed for float glass panes with one side exposed to heat. The thermal boundary conditions of the unexposed side of the glass pane were varied by putting different materials, including brass, steel or tempered glass behind it. Temperature development, temperature gradient components across the thickness and in planar directions, cracking behavior and stress were investigated. It is found that the temperature gradient component across the glass thickness is much larger than those in planar directions and would change with the thermal conditions of the unexposed side. However, the increase of stress and hence the cracking behavior of glass panes is mainly determined by temperature gradient components in planar directions under thermal conditions similar to those in the present study.