Shock wave effects during a Taylor test

Abstract
The Taylor test was performed in the classic way. A cylindrical specimen was accelerated to a rigid target consisting of WC. The specimen was of a low carbon steel, German grade Ck15, and the geometry was 5 mm in diameter and 32.5 mm in length, respectively. The test velocity was 208.5 m/s and was measured by a single laser barrier. A metallographic investigation revealed that the specimen showed at the target a region with non-deformed grains, whilst the hardness was increased compared to the non-deformed end of the Taylor specimen. This zone is surrounded by a highly plastically deformed microstructure. This microstructure and the increase in hardness can only be explained by the appearance of a shock wave.