15. SUBJECT TERMS

a. REPORT 16. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION OF: Computational mechanics and glass science have been applied to the study of precision glass molding (PGM). Early in the study a coupled thermo-mechancial finite element model was rigorously validated and then used in a detailed sensitivity analysis to identify important material and process behaviors. This experience led to a detailed investigation to characterize friction and determine viscosity in the important range of 10^7.5 – 10^9 Pa•s. Viscosity is the primary behavior that allows shape change in glass forming processes and as such must be characterized very accurately. Furthermore, in the viscosity range of interest friction complicates approaches use