The Mechanical Properties of Single Crystals of Pure Ice

• Published in: Journal of Glaciology
• Main Authors: Jones, S. J., Glen, J. W.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge University Press (CUP) 1969
• Subjects: Earth-Surface Processes; Journal of Glaciology
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0022143000027040; https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0022143000027040

Abstract Results obtained from tensile and compressive tests on pure ice single crystals at various temperatures down to −90°C are reported. At −50°C tensile creep tests give a continually increasing creep rate until fracture, as observed at higher temperatures. The stress dependence of the strain-rate is discussed. Fracture stress increases with decreasing temperature. Results from constant strain-rate compressive tests are compared with theoretical curves computed from Johnston’s (1962) theory of dislocation multiplication. A dislocation velocity of the order of 0.5×10 −8 m s −1 is deduced for ice at −50°C.