Compressional sound velocity, equation of state, and constitutive response of shock‐compressed magnesium oxide

Abstract

Wave profile and equation of state (EOS) data are reported for low‐porosity polycrystalline magnesium oxide under shock compression. The Hugoniot equation of state between 14 and 133 GPa is US = 6.87(10) + 1.24(4)up, where the numbers in parentheses are one standard deviation uncertainties in the last digit(s). Reverse‐impact wave profiles constrain the compressional sound velocity, Vp, at 10–27 GPa to ±2%. Measured Vp values are consistent with ultrasonic data extrapolated from 3 GPa. By combining the Hugoniot results with ultrasonic data, the adiabatic bulk modulus and its first and second pressure derivatives at constant entropy are 162.5(2) GPa, 4.09(9), and −0.019(4) GPa−1. The shear modulus and its first and second pressure derivatives are 130.8(2) GPa, 2.5(1), −0.026(45) GPa−1. Polycrystalline MgO has a compressive yield strength of 1–1.5 GPa at the elastic limit which increases to 2.7(8) GPa along the Hugoniot and is similar at unloading. Wave profiles for MgO at 10–39 GPa are described using a modified elastic‐plastic model. There are significant differences in the dynamic response of single‐crystal and polycrystalline MgO.