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Mirror Region

Definition

The smooth, flat area of a fracture surface nearest the crack origin, where the crack was propagating slowly and stably before accelerating into the mist and hackle zones.

Related terms

3R Rule
The fracture-analysis mnemonic: Radial cracks form at Right angles to the Reverse (far, non-impact) side of the glass. Applied to the fracture...
Bayesian Likelihood Ratio (LR)
The statistical framework that evaluates glass-fragment evidence by comparing the probability of the observed fragment population assuming contact with the source glass...
Concentric Cracks
Approximately circular cracks centred on the impact point; they form second, on the near (impact) face, and terminate when they encounter pre-existing...
Cone Fracture
A conical crack produced by concentrated contact loading (Hertzian contact), opening on the far (exit) face of the glass; the cone geometry...
Entrance Bevelling
The widening of a bullet-penetration hole toward the exit side, analogous to bevelling in bone wounds; the narrower opening is on the...
Fracture Termination Rule
The principle that a propagating crack terminates when it encounters a free surface created by a pre-existing crack; at any T-junction, the...
Hackle Marks
Ridges on the fracture surface oriented perpendicular to the crack propagation direction; they appear in the mist and hackle zones at higher...
Mist Region
The transitional fracture surface zone between the smooth mirror region and the rough hackle region, where the crack begins to bifurcate at...
Radial Cracks
Cracks extending outward from an impact point in approximately straight lines, like spokes on a wheel; they form first, on the rear...
Secondary Transfer
The movement of a glass fragment from a primary surface (which contacted the broken glass) to a secondary surface (which contacted the...
Wallner Lines
Rib-shaped features on a glass fracture surface produced by the interaction of the propagating crack front with reflected elastic stress waves; their...

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