Piezonuclear neutrons from fracturing of inert solids

TL;DR

This study reports neutron emissions during the fracturing of inert solids like marble and granite, with granite showing significantly higher neutron levels, suggesting a potential piezonuclear phenomenon during failure.

Contribution

It provides experimental evidence of neutron emission from inert solids during fracture, highlighting differences based on material composition and brittleness.

Findings

Neutron emissions observed during crushing failure

Granite shows higher neutron levels than marble

Neutron emissions exceed natural background at failure

Abstract

Neutron emission measurements by means of helium-3 neutron detectors were performed on solid test specimens during crushing failure. The materials used were marble and granite, selected in that they present a different behaviour in compression failure (i.e., a different brittleness index) and a different iron content. All the test specimens were of the same size and shape. Neutron emissions from the granite test specimens were found to be of about one order of magnitude higher than the natural background level at the time of failure.