Residual Stress Analysis of Commercial Float Glass Using Digital Photoelasticity

Abstract

Residual stresses are generated in float glass at the time of manufacturing due to thermal gradients created during the cooling process. The quantification of these residual stresses is important in glass industries as they affect their cutting quality. Photoelasticity can be used for residual stress analysis of glasses, as glass exhibits stress‐induced birefringence. In this study, a methodology involving carrier fringes in conjunction with digital photoelasticity is used to quantify the residual stress in float glass. The results are verified by six‐step phase‐shifting technique (a subset of ten‐step phase‐shifting method) using an automatic polariscope. Finally, to demonstrate the utility of the proposed method, the residual stress is measured in float glasses of different thicknesses. A method for approximate estimation of residual stress which does not require sophisticated digital image acquisition and processing systems is also reported.