spall [spȯl] ENGINEERING 1. To reduce irregular stone blocks to an approximate size by chipping with a hammer. 2. To break off thin chips from, and parallel to, the surface of a material, such as a metal or rock. GEOLOGY 1. A fragment removed from the surface of a rock by weathering. 2. A relatively thin, sharp-edged fragment produced by exfoliation. 3. A rock fragment produced by chipping with a hammer. MINING ENGINEERING To break ore. ORDNANCE A fragment torn from the surface of an armor plate. |