Experimental approach to shock synthesis using pressure-temperature-strain data

Abstract
An understanding of the shock conditions that optimise true shock synthesis, not shock initiation, must be understood. Simply the mixing of powdered materials and shock loading them is at best a hit and miss proposition. A shock loading technique, using an axi-symmetric radial implosion technique that produces a Mach-stem region upon convergence of the shock wave results in pressure-temperatures that for the most materials exceed their melting temperatures. As the shock wave passes through, the resultant melt is pressure/temperature quenched. This technique has produced metastable concentrations of several alloys. Various parameters utilizing high pressure-temperature data are assessed towards increasing solubility beyond equilibrium. This paper will describe the current understanding and basic premise as well as the experimental technique used to obtain these conditions.