Effect of pulsed laser irradiation on the micro-plastic behavior of radiation shielding lead glasses

Wakui, Takashi  ; Yamasaki, Kazuhiko*; Futakawa, Masatoshi  

Pulsed laser irradiation and indentation tests on radiation shielding glasses and a lead-free glass were carried out. The size of irradiation damage of the glass with high lead content was larger than that with low content. The micro plastic behavior of glasses was quantitatively determined using the inverse analyses based on indentation results. Flow stress decreased with an increase of lead content and that in irradiated area was lower than that in unirradiated area. On the other hand, plastic flow resistance increased with an increase of the lead content and that in irradiated area was higher than that in unirradiated area. Fracture energy and critical size of plastic zone around tip of crack in unirradiated and irradiated areas were calculated based on experimental results including constants evaluated using the inverse analysis. These values decreased with an increase of the lead content and these values in irradiated area were lower than that in unirradiated area.