Dynamic fracture behaviors of transparent materials under detonation loading

Abstract

The response of behaviors of transparent materials to ballistic impact is important to armor design. The qualities of materials, their surface treatment and boundary conditions have an effect on the materials' dynamic fracture. To find out the effect of these variables, the fracture phenomena of transparent materials have been observed with the Edge-on Impact (EOI) style test method coupled with an ultra high speed imaging system. A series of images were analyzed to study the propagation of shock waves, failure front and the wave interactions at surfaces after loading with a small exploding bridged wire (EBW) detonator. The influences of surface boundary condition, quality and the effect of heterogeneity in the material were studied. The results show that shock propagation is similar to that of longitudinal velocity and the impedance condition at surfaces is important in dynamic crack formation.