Characteristics of a piezoresistive accelerometer in shock environments up to 150,000 G

The characteristics of a piezoresistive accelerometer in shock environments are being studied at Sandia National Laboratories in the Mechanical Shock Testing Laboratory. A Hopkinson bar capability has been developed to extend our undemanding of the piezoresistive accelerometer, in two mechanical configurations, in the high frequency, high shock environments where measurements are being made. Two different Hopkinson bar materials are being used: Titanium and beryllium The in-axis performance of the piezoresistive accelerometer for frequencies of dc-10 kHz and shock magnitudes of up to 150,000 g as determined from measurements with a titanium Hopkinson bar are presented. The beryllium Hopkinson bar configuration is described. Preliminary in-axis characteristics of the piezoresistive accelerometer at a nominal shock level of 50,000 g for a frequency range of DC-30 kHz determined from the beryllium bar are presented.