Earthquake prediction technique could shine light on strength, reliability of materials
A common mineral and earthquake and avalanche statistics can be used to measure the impact of hostile environmental events on materials.
Such studies would provide important information about the degradation and failure of materials used for advanced solar panels, geological carbon capture and infrastructure such as buildings, roads and bridges.
Muscovite is the most common type of mica. It is known for its flaky, layered sheets.
The mineral can be found in granites and gneisses and contains aluminium and potassium. It is used in many materials science applications including the construction of high-temperature furnaces and oven windows.
The study published in Nature Communications offers a new use for muscovite.
Engineers need to be able to test different materials’ response to stress and strain in order to make infrastructure that can withstand environmental events like earthquakes.
They also want to know how chemical reactions between minerals and groundwater along faults might slowly weaken rocks and lead to sudden failure. This process is called chemomechanical weakening.
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