Impact-initiated behavior and reaction mechanism of W/Zr composites with SHPB setup

The dynamic compressive behavior of a hot pressed tungsten/zirconium (W/Zr) composite with a mass proportion of 34:64 (W:Zr) was experimentally investigated using a split Hopkinson pressure bar and a high-speed camera. The W/Zr composite has high strength but some brittle characteristics; when subjected to a strong enough impact loading, the sample is crushed, rapidly releasing high amounts of energy as a result. This impact-initiated reaction depends on the loading conditions, where a higher loading strain rate resulting a smaller fragment size. The Zr phase is involved in the reaction as the active component of the composite, and these fragments can be divided into small, medium, and large fragments with their reactions labeled as “fire ball,” “spark,” and “no react” respectively. A simple model is constructed to analyze the heat generated during plastic deformation based on yield stress, crack speed and the thermal properties of the brittle material. Our proposed model’s prediction of temperature increase at initiation may reach several hundred degrees Celsius.