Experimental techniques and measurements for code validation beyond the current testable regime, i.e., at impact velocities over the range of 7 to 16 km/s

Abstract

Sandia National Laboratories has developed a hyperveloci launcher which is capable of launching 0.5 mm to 1.0 mm thick by 6 mm to 19 mm diameter plates to velocities of 16 km/s. The hypervelocity launcher has been used to extend th shocked material properties data base at pressures an temperature states higher than those ever obtained in the laboratory. In this paper, recent results of one-dimensional an two-dimensional impact experiments at impact velocities over 10 km/s are presented. An example of an one-dimension experiment consists of measurements of shock loading an release in titanium at {approximately}2.3 Mbar resulting from symmetric impact at impact velocities of 10 km/s. Another example include the technique developed to probe the kinetics of shock-induced vaporization of a thin zinc plate shocked 5.5 Mbar resulting from an initial tantalum impact at over 10 km/s. The velocity interferometer, VISAR, is being used to estimate the time-resolved particle velocity history at a sample/lithium-fluoride window interface in the above experiments. The hypervelocity launcher has also been used to perform two-dimensional experiments. In particular, the propagation characteristics of debris clouds resulting from impact of a flier plate on a thin bumper shield. Aluminum flier plates were used to impact aluminummore » bumper shields at impact velocities of 5 to 11 km/s. In this instance, radiographic and framing photography have been used to record the debris cloud motion.« less