An innovative electromagnetic compressive split Hopkinson bar

This paper proposes a new design for the compressive split Hopkinson bar that makes use of the intense pressure created in a transient magnetic field formed by the passage of a pulse of electric current through a series of coils. The proposed technology enables to characterize the behaviour of materials under high strain-rates with a small acceleration path length of the striker bar and, because propulsion is purely electromagnetic, the overall performance can be easily controlled and nearly infinitely adjustable. The presentation is focused on the design and fabrication of the mechanical, electrical and electromagnetic components of the new compressive split Hopkinson bar and includes results from stress–strain characterization at high strain-rates to demonstrate the validity of the proposed concept.