Dynamic high pressure phase transformation of ZrW2O8

Phase transformations under high strain rates (dynamic compression) are examined in situ on ZrW2O8, a negative thermal expansion ternary ceramic displaying polymorphism. Amorphization, consistent with prior quasi-static measurements, was observed at a peak pressure of 3.0 GPa under dynamic conditions, which approximate those expected during fabrication. Evidence of partial amorphization was observed at lower pressure (1.8 GPa) that may be kinetically restrained by the short (<∼150 ns) time scale of the applied high pressure. The impact of kinetics of pressure-induced amorphization from material fabrication methods is briefly discussed.