DSS-M.06.02 — Notch Root Micro-Cracks

Notch root micro-cracks are fine, crack-like fissures emanating from the root (inside radius) of a notch or cutout. They are integrity indicators: any confirmed cracking (even hairline) places the lite out of in-place restoration scope under VIS (CAT-5 by condition/location). Classification here is appearance-only; methodology is out of scope. Inspect under VIS lighting/geometry after Non-Invasive Reveal; record surface numbering and worked-surface status on Forms:

• Short, radial hairlines starting at the notch root; may appear singly or as a small fan.
• Often subtle at normal incidence; become evident in oblique sweep or with raking light.
• May co-exist with perimeter micro-chips or a minor exit-lip from fabrication.
• On laminated products, crack visibility may vary by ply; use parallax and angle to verify origin/ply.

Surface-catch class (MSRT)

• Do not pass a stylus across any suspected crack. If needed, a single light, non-marring pass adjacent to (not across) the root may be used to sense local surface relief from associated chips/lip for context. MSRT is auxiliary and never determinative for integrity.

Visual signature

• Filament-thin, continuous line(s) emerging from the notch root that do not behave like surface scratches (no consistent flank sparkle; may traverse micro-texture without interruption).
• Under raking/oblique, dark/bright phase change persists with small viewpoint shifts; may cast a faint line in transmitted reflections.

Viewing / lighting

• Evaluate clean & dry at 12 / 36 / 72 in using normal incidence and oblique sweep (~60°-120°) with raking light. Capture both specular and transmitted views if accessible.

Location / access

• Record pane ID and surface numbering (#1-#4; laminate-internal). Use parallax to determine if the cue lies between panes or laminate-internal; any inaccessible/internal crack is CAT-5 by location.

Coatings.

• If the worked surface is coated, note coating status but remember: integrity (crack presence) governs classification; coating appearance rules apply separately at acceptance.

Assign category by appearance + integrity:

• CAT-5 (default for this entry): Any confirmed micro-crack at a notch root (visible continuity, branching, or propagation under angle/raking) → Non-Repairable / Out of In-Place Scope. Document and refer per project protocol (replacement/manufacturer service as applicable).
• Reassign only if no crack is present:
• If evaluation shows no fissure and only micro-chips/lip intruding onto the face → classify under M.06.01 Hole edge micro-chips (excess) or M.03.04 Edge “shelling” at holes/slots as appropriate.
• If the cue is a linear surface score (continuous lineation away from root) without crack characteristics → classify under M.01 Linear scoring.

CAT is driven by integrity/location for cracks; acceptance is evaluated separately under VIS §6.

• vs. Linear surface scratch at root: Scratches exhibit abrasive edges and MSRT catch; true micro-cracks can cross subtle texture without flank sparkle and may show tip blunting/branching.
• vs. Exit-lip / burr: Exit-lip is edge-confined, reads SC-0 on the face, and lacks a continuous filament extending into the glass.
• vs. Chip train: A train of tiny perimeter chips can appear dotted under low light; with raking, chips resolve to discrete facets rather than a continuous fissure.
• vs. Laminate-internal artifact: In laminated make-ups, a ply-internal line that does not move with external parallax and does not respond to reveal on the outer face is internal → CAT-5 by location.

• Photo set (VIS): 12 / 36 / 72 in, normal + oblique, include raking macros of the notch root that resolve the continuous fissure (not just chip facets). Capture at least one context frame showing the notch geometry and hardware adjacency. Record distance/angle in-frame.
• MSRT note. If recorded, note SC class from an adjacent area only (do not cross the fissure); one light, non-marring pass; polymer stylus if coating is suspected.
• Forms: Pane ID; surface numbering (#1-#4; laminate-internal); worked surface Y/N; functional coating on worked surface? (Y/N/Unknown); reveal status; lighting/time; geometry checklist; photos attached.
• Disposition. Mark CAT-5 for confirmed micro-cracks; document stability concerns (e.g., growth direction, edge proximity). Refer per project protocol.

• M.06.02 Notch Root Micro-Cracks - Hairline fissure(s) observed emanating from notch root on surface #___ under VIS geometry (oblique + raking). MSRT not performed across fissure; adjunct reading SC-[ ] recorded nearby for context. Classification: CAT-5 (integrity/location). Surface numbering recorded; parallax checked. Photo set + forms attached; acceptance per VIS §6 (separate).