High-pressure, High-temperature Deformation Experiment Using the New Generation Griggs-type Apparatus

Area of Science:

• Geophysics
• Experimental Petrology
• Materials Science

Background:

• Rock deformation at high pressure and temperature is crucial for understanding deep geological processes.
• Current solid-pressure-medium apparatuses lack the stress resolution for high-pressure, high-resolution measurements.
• Gas-pressure-medium apparatuses are limited to low-pressure deformation experiments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe a new generation of solid-medium piston-cylinder apparatus (Griggs-type) for high-pressure rock deformation.
• To establish a technological basis for high-pressure rheology.
• To provide detailed documentation for performing high-pressure, high-temperature experiments.

Main Methods:

• Development of a new Griggs-type apparatus capable of pressures up to 5 GPa.
• Adaptation of an internal load cell for enhanced stress resolution.
• Video-based documentation of experimental procedures using a conventional solid-salt assembly.

Main Results:

• The new apparatus successfully performed deformation experiments at 1.5 GPa and 700 °C.
• A representative stress-time curve illustrates the experimental process, including pressure/temperature increase and sample quenching.
• The apparatus demonstrates potential for high-resolution rheological measurements at extreme conditions.

Conclusions:

• The described Griggs-type apparatus represents a significant advancement for high-pressure rheology.
• This technology facilitates the study of geological processes at greater depths.
• Further developments and analysis of limitations will refine high-pressure deformation testing.