Historical Overview of Hypervelocity Impact Diagnostic Technology

• Published in: International journal of impact engineering Vol. 5; no. 1-4; pp. 389 - 410
• Main Author: Isbell, W M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 21.10.1986
• ISSN: 0734-743X

The ability to understand hypervelocity impact phenomena and to validate predictive models of material behavior is largely dependent on the diagnostic tools available to the experimenter. These tools range from simple, post-impact examination of targets to extremely sophisticated and complex techniques, which simultaneously measure a myriad of impact parameters on a time scale of ns to ms. This wide range of available techniques represents the challenge and opportunity of hypervelocity impact experimentation. There has been a continual challenge to develop diagnostic techniques with ever-increasing resolution, as higher velocities and pressures are achieved. Today's techiques provide the experimenter the means of measuring most hypervelocity impact parameters, including velocity, displacement, temperature, radiation, volumetric change, impulse, stress, and strain of the materials involved. However, the prospective quantum leap in impact velocities to be produced by electromagnetic and electrothermal launchers will require corresponding advances in diagnostic systems. The capabilities and limitations of the major diagnostic techniques for hypervelocity impact experimentation are examined and their evolvement as useful laboratory tools is traced. 49 ref.--AA