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Researchers Discover Liquids Can Fracture Like Solids

4/14/2026

Summary

Story summary

Drexel University and ExxonMobil researchers show that simple liquids can fracture like solids under sufficient stress, reaching a 'critical stress' and producing cracks at 500–1,500 m/s.
The phenomenon is linked to cavitation, with tiny vacuum bubbles forming inside the liquid and aiding fracture.
The finding advances fluid mechanics and could impact 3D printing and soft robotics.
The study appears in Physical Review Letters, and future work will test other liquids.

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Story summary

Drexel University and ExxonMobil researchers show that simple liquids can fracture like solids under sufficient stress, reaching a 'critical stress' and producing cracks at 500–1,500 m/s.
The phenomenon is linked to cavitation, with tiny vacuum bubbles forming inside the liquid and aiding fracture.
The finding advances fluid mechanics and could impact 3D printing and soft robotics.
The study appears in Physical Review Letters, and future work will test other liquids.