spall
Noun A small fragment or chip, typically with at least one sharp or thin edge, that has broken off from a larger solid piece of material, especially stone, rock, ore, or masonry.
The word "spall" is used primarily to describe a specific type of debris resulting from the fracturing, weathering, or impact on hard, brittle materials. It is a technical term common in geology, mining, construction, and archaeology.
Examples * The geologist examined the spall to understand the rock's fracture pattern. * The explosion sent dangerous spalls of concrete flying through the air. * Ancient tools were often made from stone spalls produced by flintknapping. * The old brick wall was crumbling, leaving a pile of spalls at its base.
- Spallation: (Noun) The process or result of breaking up or chipping, especially in nuclear physics (where it refers to a nuclear reaction) or in material science.
- The spallation of the asteroid's surface was caused by constant micrometeorite impacts.
- Spalling: (Noun/Gerund) The action or process of breaking into spalls. Often used to describe a type of deterioration.
- The concrete showed significant spalling due to water infiltration and freeze-thaw cycles.
- Spall can also function as a verb (to break into spalls), though this is less common than its noun form.
- The intense heat can cause the rock surface to spall.
- Chip: A more general, common synonym for a small broken piece.
- Flake: A thin, flat spall, often used in the context of stone tool making or exfoliating materials.
- Fragment: A general term for a broken piece.
- Splinter: A long, sharp, thin spall, typically of wood or glass.
Chip, flake, fragment, shard, splinter.
Slab, boulder, monolith (referring to large, unbroken pieces).
- Spall shield: A protective barrier designed to stop or contain spalling material.
- Spall crater: A crater formed primarily by spalling on the interior surface opposite an impact point.
- Spall line: In archaeology, a line or ridge on a stone tool where a spall was removed.
- a fragment broken off from the edge or face of stone or ore and having at least one thin edge
- a truck bearing a mound of blue spalls