Weapons and Materials Research Directorate Research Areas

Interferometry-Based Miniaturized Kolsky Bar: Dynamic Microcompression of Single and Polycrystalline Metals

Advisor: Schuster, Brian E. (brian.e.schuster@us.army.mil 410-278-6733)
Co Advisor: Casem, Daniel T. (daniel.t.casem.civ@mail.mil 410-306 0972)

Key words: Dynamic Compression, Metals, Experimental Mechanics, Meso-Scale Experimental Methods

Recently, Casem and coworkers developed a Kolsky bar apparatus that employs optical measuring techniques in lieu of strain gages for small diameter Kolsky bar experiments.  Interferometer-based methods are used to measure incident and reflected pulses and to calculate the dynamic compressive response of materials.  Applicability to sub-mm pressure bars  and other stress states will be investigated.   This and other test methodologies will be employed to investigate the mechanical properties and deformation mechanisms of single and polycrystalline metals at applied strain rates of 10^3  to 10^5/s.  Candidates should have experience with dynamic mechanical testing as well as advanced materials characterization techniques (such as SEM, TEM, XRD, etc.).

Reference
Daniel T. Casem, Stephen E. Grunschel and Brian E. Schuster
Proceedings of the Society for Experimental Mechanics Series, 2011, Volume 1, 463-470