Wear of silica glass at high velocities

Regularities of the wear of silica glass at friction against a smooth steel counterbody and fastened abrasive are analyzed. Data on the kinetics and mechanisms of the fracture of the surface layer as well as on the pattern of the propagation of microcracks beyond the contact area are reported for both modes of loading. Regularities of the effect of the normal load and the sliding velocity on the propagation depth of fatigue microcracks and the wear rate of silica glass as well as their relation to peculiarities of the frictional heating of the surface layer of the worn body are discussed. Causes of the appearance of subsurface microcracks that result in the delamination of the glass surface layer are considered.