CREATING INITIAL CRACKS FOR INTERFACIAL FRACTURE OF ICE

Ice is known for its ability to adhere well to surfaces. Often, this g ood adhesion creates significant problems, and thus methods are sought to reduce the strength of the adhesive bond between the ice and the s ubstrate to which it is adhered. The first step in finding new methods for reducing ice adhesion is a good method to measure the strength of that adhesive bond. One approach to such a method is through interfac ial fracture mechanics. The specimens that can be used in interfacial fracture mechanics testing all require a 'good' starter crack. Experie nce in fracture testing of ice shows that getting such a 'good' crack is not easy. This technical note presents both the method used to get such a 'good' starter crack for interfacial fracture mechanics testing of ice-substrate bonds. and also details the various failed methods w hich were attempted.