Void formation by non-basal glide in ice single crystals

Abstract

When ice single crystals are plastically deformed by tension parallel to the basal plane, hexagonal or circular thin plate-shaped microscopic voids are, found to develop in the basal plane. These voids increase in size and number with continuing deformation and eventually join together producing large cavities which lead to crystal fracture. Clusters of these voids form bands along the directions which are parallel t o the non-basal active slip planes. Tentative explanation of the void formation is presented.