What type of damage is indicated by crazing on glass surfaces?

Crazing on glass surfaces is indicative of thermal stress patterns. This phenomenon occurs when glass is subjected to rapid temperature changes or uneven heating, leading to internal stresses that manifest as fine cracks or fissures on the surface. These cracks do not penetrate deeply into the glass and typically appear as a network of tiny lines.

When glass is heated rapidly, the exterior can expand quickly while the interior remains cooler, creating stress within the material. Crazing is a visible sign of this thermal stress, contrasting with other types of damage which may involve more significant breakage or changes arising from impacts, corrosive substances, or moisture. These alternatives would not typically produce the specific fine, spider-web-like cracks characteristic of crazing, making thermal stress the definitive cause in this case.