The role of crystal anisotropy on the shock-induced β to γ transition in single crystal tin

The asymmetry of the crystal structure of tin gives an opportunity to study the effects that orientation has on shock properties. Tin also exhibits a solid-solid phase transformation at pressures readily accessible to gas-gun driven shock experiments. In this work, plate impact experiments are conducted on single- and poly-crystal tin. Through shock wave velocity and surface velocity measurements, Hugoniot states are determined alongside spall properties either side of the β to γ transition. A strong orientation dependence is measured in the elastic properties of the single crystal under shock loading, similar to what is observed under static loading. However, above the elastic limit, the strong orientation dependence is no longer observed, with the β to γ phase transition occurring at similar pressures.

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