The Response of Dyneema to Shock-Loading

ORAL

Abstract

Dyneema is a registered trademark of a self-reinforced polyethylene (manufactured by DSM) which is showing great promise as a replacement for brittle-fibre-reinforced epoxies in various dynamic applications. As part of an investigation of its high-rate mechanical properties, we have measured the response of Dyneema under the condition of uniaxial strain during shock-loading. Data on the principal-Hugoniot curve was obtained using in-material manganin stress gauges to measure both longitudinal stress and shock-wave velocity. Off-Hugoniot data was generated using a plate-impact reverberation technique, where a Dyneema sample was contained between two higher impedance copper anvils. Manganin stress gauges mounted on the interface between the Dyneema sample and copper anvils monitored the ring-up of stress in the specimen. Finally, the release curve from a given principal-Hugoniot state was measured using a reverse ballistic impact technique where free-surface velocity was measured using interferometric methods.

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Authors

  • D.J. Chapman

    University of Cambridge, UK, University of Cambridge, Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, J.J. Thompson Avenue, CB3 0HE

  • C.H. Braithwaite

    University of Cambridge, UK, Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, J.J. Thompson Avenue, CB3 0HE

  • W.G. Proud

    Fracture and Shock Physics, SMF Group, Cavendish Laboratory, JJ Thomson Ave., Cambridge, CB3 0HE, University of Cambridge, University of Cambridge, UK, Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, J.J. Thompson Avenue, CB3 0HE