Weakening of Dunite by Serpentine Dehydration

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Abstract
A shear press has been used to determine the mechanical behavior of serpentinized dunite and forsterite at normal pressures to 50 kilobars, temperatures to 900° C; and strain rates from 10 -1 to 10 -4 per second. The shear strength of dunite, containing less than 5 percent by volume of serpentine, is reduced by at least 30 percent as the temperature is raised from 300° to 520° C. Abundant kink bands develop at normal pressures above 35 kilobars at 27° C and at lower pressures as the temperature is increased.