Shock Compression and Release Properties of Alumina-Filled Epoxy

Abstract

Alumina‐filled epoxies are used to encapsulate ferroelectric ceramics in shock‐driven, pulsed power devices. Device performance is strongly influenced by the shock compression and release properties of the encapsulant, which must be adequately understood in order to develop a capability for numerically simulating the operation of these power sources. In previous studies, Hugoniot states and release velocities were measured in reverse‐impact experiments using laser interferometry (VISAR) at stresses up to 5 GPa. In addition, wave profiles were obtained in transmitted‐wave experiments at fixed impact conditions as a function of initial temperature. These experiments showed an extended wave structure having a rise time that increased with decreasing temperature. In recent studies, Hugoniot states and release velocities at stresses up to 10 GPa have been obtained in reverse‐impact experiments. Transmitted‐wave experiments have examined the effects of wave amplitude on the wave structure and also the evolution...