Eur. Phys. J. E (2011) 34: 92
https://doi.org/10.1140/epje/i2011-11092-9

Regular Article

Relaxation time and viscosity of fused silica glass at room temperature

CNR-Istituto Nazionale di Ottica, Largo E. Fermi 6, 50125, Firenze, Italy

^* e-mail: maurizio.vannoni@ino.it

Received: 19 April 2011
Accepted: 8 July 2011
Published online: 23 September 2011

Abstract

Cases of long-term deformation of fused silica glass at room temperature attributed to the action of gravity have been reported. Further experimental investigations now provide evidence of time-dependent viscous behavior, with a time constant of the order of 10 years. Data relating to a pair of fused silica reference plates are presented, showing the overall deformation occurred over the years; considerations on the pertaining viscosity with aging are also given. An account of the observed relaxation process in terms of the Kelvin-Voigt model for linear viscoelasticity is provided.