Neutron emission evidences in natural materials under monotonic, cyclic, and vibrational loading

Abstract

Neutron emission measurements, by means of 3He devices and bubble detectors, were performed during three different kinds of compression tests: (i) under monotonic displacement control, (ii) under cyclic loading, and (iii) by ultrasonic vibration. The material used for the tests was Green Luserna Granite. Since the analyzed material contains iron, our conjecture is that piezonuclear reactions involving fission of iron into aluminum, or into magnesium and silicon, should have occurred during compression damage and failure. This hypothesis is confirmed by the direct evidence of Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS) tests. It is also interesting to emphasize that the anomalous chemical balances of the major events that have affected the geomechanical and geochemical evolution of the Earth's Crust should be considered as an indirect evidence of the piezonuclear fission reactions.