EXPERIMENTAL STUDY ON THE EFFECT OF WATER ON THE STRENGTH AND DEFORMATION MECHANISM OF CARRARA MARBLE AT HIGH TEMPERATURE

We performed deformation experiments using Carrara marble in dry and wet conditions under temperature of 400~700℃ and confining pressure 300MPa with two different strain rates. Water contents of deformed samples were measured using FTIR spectroscopy. The microstructure and deformation mechanisms of samples were observed under optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and energy spectroscopy analysis. The mechanical data show that samples display strain hardening at 400℃, and transition to steady creep at temperature from 500~700℃. The strength of marble reduced gradually with elevated temperatures or decreased strain rate. However, water effect to the strength of the marble is significantly weak. Microstructures observed show that the deformation is cataclastic flow in dry samples, fracture and pressure solution in wet samples at 400℃. Samples underwent brittle-plastic transition at 500℃. Dislocation glide is major deformation mechanism for dry samples at 600℃. Dislocation climb and dynamic recrystallization are major deformation mechanism for wet samples at 600℃ and for all wet samples and dry samples at 700℃. Lower strain rate and higher water content could promote the process of pressure solution and diffusion as well as dynamic recrystallization.