Thermodynamic of Glass Indentation: Dissipative Aspects

A criterium is derived to understand the relevance of thermal effects resulting from high rate mechanical actions on glass surface. The criterium is based on the concept of characteristic contact time of the load to the glass surface. This criterium is of particular relevance to impact phenomena. A general discussion about dissipative aspects of indentation on glass surface is presented and a thermodynamic approach is suggested to evaluate the energetic of the process. Further generalization is proposed based on the thermodynamics of continuous media.