Dynamic Properties of Shock Loaded Thin Uranium Foils

Abstract

A series of spall experiments has been completed with thin depleted uranium targets, nominally 0.1 mm thick. The first set of uranium spall targets was cut and ground to final thickness from electro‐refined, high‐purity, cast uranium. The second set was rolled to final thickness from low purity uranium. The impactors for these experiments were laser‐launched 0.05‐mm thick copper flyers, 3 mm in diameter. Laser energies were varied to yield a range of flyer impact velocities. This resulted in varying degrees of damage to the uranium targets, from deformation to complete spall or separation at the higher velocities. Dynamic measurements of the uranium target free surface velocities were obtained with dual velocity interferometers. Uranium targets were recovered and sectioned after testing. Free surface velocity profiles were similar for the two types of uranium, but spall strengths (estimated from the magnitude of the pull‐back signal) are higher for the high‐purity cast uranium. Velocity profiles and microstructural evidence of spall from the sectioned uranium targets are presented.