Shock Waves in Heterogeneous Particulate Composites
Michael Rauls (Caltech), G. Ravichandran (Caltech)
Symposium in honor of Rod Clifton on the occasion of his 75th Birthday
Mon 4:20 - 5:40
Salomon 101
Shock waves in heterogeneous materials are of considerable interest in impact and blast applications. Plate impact experiments conducted on a model particulate composite consisting of glass spheres dispersed in a PMMA matrix are presented. The composite is prepared by a compression molding process and the specimens are subjected to normal plate impact using a powder gun at velocities in the range of 1 to 2 km/s. The particle velocity at the rear surface of the sample is measured using a VISAR or a PDV system. The measured velocity profiles are examined in relation to the microstructure of the particulate composite. The effect of geometry and distribution of the glass spheres on the propagation and evolution of shock waves in the model composite is discussed.