Compression of Solids by Strong Shock Waves

Publisher Summary For most solids, shock wave pressures in the range extending from 100 kilobars to 400 kilobars are attained easily. Pressures in excess of 1000 kilobars can be obtained by the slight modification of the simple in contact explosive–solid geometry. The task of determining the associated pressure–compression data derives part of its appeal from the fact that precise static compressibility studies have been limited to pressures below 100 kilobars. The experimental approaches to the problem of determining the pressure–compression states behind shock waves are reviewed and a summary of the published experimental data for solids is given in the chapter. The experimental data that consist of a known pressure P, volume V, energy E locus for each material are extended to a complete thermodynamic description of states neighboring the experimental curves. These calculations are based upon the Mie–Gruneisen equation of state and the Dugdale–MacDonald relation, the latter being used to determine the volume dependence of the Gruneisen ratio. The Dugdale–MacDonald relation is tested at zero pressure, where sufficient thermodynamic data exist to permit the comparison with Gruneisen's ratio as calculated from the usual thermodynamic relations.