Abstract: Fracture promoting media are comprised of mercury and an alkali metal selected from the group consisting of cesium, lithium, sodium and potassium. A modification of the foregoing media is achieved by the addition of a metallic sulfate solution selected from the group of gold sulfate, silver sulfate and copper sulfate. A method of achieving failure of a material at greatly reduced energy requirements comprises contacting the material at a desired place for failure with a medium of mercury and an alkali metal selected from the group of cesium, lithium, sodium and potassium and applying force to the material. A modification of the foregoing method comprises contacting the material at a desired place for failure with a medium of mercury, an alkali metal selected from the group of cesium, lithium, sodium and potassium and a metallic sulfate solution selected from the group of gold sulfate, silver sulfate and copper sulfate and applying a force to the material.