Publications

A series of fine-grained porous alumina samples, with and without a liquid phase, were fabricated in compositions matched closely to commercially available alumina used as microelectronic substrates. Hertzian indentation on monolithic specimens of the glass-containing samples produced a greater quasi-ductile stress-strain response compared with that observed in the pure alumina. Maximum residual indentation depths, determined from surface profilometry, correlated with the stress-strain results. Moreover, microstructural observations from bonded interface specimens revealed significantly more damage in the form of microcracking and under extreme loading, pore collapse, in the glass-containing specimens. The absence of the typical twin faulting mechanism observed for larger-grained alumina suggests that the damage mechanism for quasi-ductility in these fine-grained porous aluminas was derived from the pores acting as a stress concentrator and the grain boundary glass phase providing a weak path for short crack propagation.

Energy production, deformation, and fluid transport in reservoirs are linked closely. Recent field, laboratory, and theoretical studies suggest that, under certain stress conditions, compaction of porous rocks may be accommodated by narrow zones of localized compressive deformation oriented perpendicular to the maximum compressive stress. Triaxial compression experiments were performed on Castlegate, an analogue reservoir sandstone, that included acoustic emission detection and location. Initially, acoustic emissions were focused in horizontal bands that initiated at the sample ends (perpendicular to the maximum compressive stress), but with continued loading progressed axially towards the center. This paper describes microscopy studies that were performed to elucidate the micromechanics of compaction during the experiments. The microscopy revealed that compaction of this weakly-cemented sandstone proceeded in two phases: an initial stage of porosity decrease accomplished by breakage of grain contacts and grain rotation, and a second stage of further reduction accommodated by intense grain breakage and rotation.