Fused Silica Shock Response Using Reverse Ballistic Multi-Sample Impacts

Fused silica is a material of significant interest due to its unique optical and mechanical properties. While the shock response of fused silica has been studied in the past using light gas guns, previous studies generally only looked at one pressure state per shot. In this study, a new reverse ballistic multi-sample shock response technique has been used to measure the shock response of fused silica at many different pressures in only a few shots. To achieve this, Photon Doppler Velocimetry (PDV) was used to measure the free surface velocity on a set of 9 standard materials of varying impedance. Impact velocity was also measured using PDV to ensure a comprehensive analysis of the shock response. The results of this study aligned with previous studies while also providing new data that completes our understanding of the shock response for fused silica at low shock pressures. In conclusion, the reverse ballistic multi-sample shock technique proves to be an effective method for rapidly characterizing the shock response of a material, offering a promising approach for future studies in materials science.