Investigation of structural-scale levels of spall fracture induced by a nanosecond relativistic high-current electron beam in ultrafine-grained Ti–Al–V–Mo alloy

Abstract

The results of an experimental and theoretical study of shock-wave processes and spall fracture in an ultrafine-grained and coarse-grained (α + β) Ti–Al–V–Mo alloy under the action of a nanosecond relativistic high-current electron beam are reported. Mathematical modeling is performed to show that when an electron beam with a power density of 1.65 × 1010 W/cm2 impacts this alloy, a shock wave with a compression amplitude of 13 GPa appears and its reflection gives rise to a tensile wave. Its amplitude increases with decreasing target thickness. The calculated increase in the thickness of the spalled layer at the rear surface of the target corresponds to the experimental data. It is established experimentally that plastic deformation precedes the spall fracture sequentially at three structural-scale levels. At the beginning pores are formed and merge, then microcracks are formed at different angles to the back surface of the target between the pores, and then a macrocrack is formed. As a result, the macrocrack surface is not smooth but exhibits pits of ductile fracture.