Water diffusing into silica surfaces gives rise for several effectson diffusion behaviour and mechanical properties. Water added to silica glass increases its specific volume so that the silica expands near the surface. Mechanical boundary conditions give rise for compressive "swelling stresses". This fact provides a tool for the interpretation of many experimental observations from literature.

Water diffusing into silica surfaces gives rise for several effects on diffusion behaviour and mechanical properties. In a preceding booklet, we focused on diffusion and fiber strengths and deformations which were obtained by water soaking under external loading. In the present booklet we deal with results and interpretations of strength increase in the absence of applied stresses.