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Date
2023-11-17Type
- Journal Article
ETH Bibliography
yes
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Abstract
Damage caused by freezing wet, porous materials is a widespread problem but is hard to predict or control. Here, we show that polycrystallinity significantly speeds up the stress buildup process that underpins this damage. Unfrozen water in grain-boundary grooves feeds ice growth at temperatures below the freezing temperature, leading to fast stress buildup. These stresses can build up to levels that can easily break many brittle materials. The dynamics of the process are very variable, which we ascribe to local differences in ice-grain orientation and to the surprising mobility of many grooves-which further accelerates stress buildup. Our Letter will help understand how freezing damage occurs and in developing accurate models and effective damage-mitigation strategies. Show more
Publication status
publishedExternal links
Journal / series
Physical Review LettersVolume
Pages / Article No.
Publisher
American Physical SocietySubject
Crystallization; Growth; Interface & surface thermodynamics; Liquid-solid phase transition; Thin fluid filmsOrganisational unit
09573 - Dufresne, Eric (ehemalig) / Dufresne, Eric (former)
Funding
ETH-38 18-2 - Freezing of soft materials (ETHZ)
212066 - Transport and damage in freezing porous materials (SNF)
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ETH Bibliography
yes
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