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The effect of fused-silica pre-shocking on its devitrification propensity and ballistic resistance: an all-atom molecular-level analysis

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Abstract

Recent studies have suggested that impact-induced devitrification of fused silica, or more specifically formation of high-density stishovite, can significantly improve ballistic-penetration resistance of fused silica, the material which is used in transparent armor. The studies have also shown that in order for stishovite to form during a ballistic-impact event, very high projectile kinetic energy normalized by the projectile/fused-silica target-plate contact area must accompany such an event. Otherwise fused-silica devitrification, if taking place, does not substantially improve the material ballistic-penetration resistance. In the present work, all-atom molecular-level computations are carried out in order to establish if pre-shocking of fused-silica target-plates (to form stishovite) and subsequent unloading (to revert stishovite to the material amorphous structure) can increase fused silica’s propensity for stishovite formation during a ballistic impact. Towards that end, molecular-level computational procedures are developed to simulate both the pre-shocking treatment of the fused-silica target-plate and its subsequent impact by a solid right-circular cylindrical projectile. The results obtained clearly revealed that when strong-enough shockwaves are used in the fused-silica target-plate pre-shocking procedure, the propensity of fused silica for stishovite formation during the subsequent ballistic impact is increased, as is the associated ballistic-penetration resistance. To rationalize these findings, a detailed post-processing microstructural analysis of the pre-shocked material is employed. The results obtained suggest that fused silica pre-shocked with shockwaves of sufficient strength retain some memory/embryos of stishovite, and these embryos facilitate stishovite formation during the subsequent ballistic impact.

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Acknowledgements

The material presented in this paper is based on work supported by the Office of Naval Research (ONR) research contract entitled “Reactive-Moiety Functionalization of Polyurea for Increased Shock-Mitigation Performance,” Contract Number N00014-14-1-0286. The authors would like to express their appreciation to Dr. Roshdy Barsoum, ONR, program sponsor, for many helpful discussions, guidance, and continuing interest.

Funding

This study was funded by the Office of Naval Research (ONR) research contract entitled “Reactive-Moiety Functionalization of Polyurea for Increased Shock-Mitigation Performance,” Contract Number N00014-14-1-0286.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Clemson University, 241 Engineering Innovation Building, Clemson, SC, 29634-0921, USA

    M. Grujicic, J. S. Snipes & S. Ramaswami

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  1. M. Grujicic
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  2. J. S. Snipes
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  3. S. Ramaswami
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Correspondence to M. Grujicic.

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Grujicic, M., Snipes, J.S. & Ramaswami, S. The effect of fused-silica pre-shocking on its devitrification propensity and ballistic resistance: an all-atom molecular-level analysis. J Mater Sci 51, 3500–3512 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-015-9670-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-015-9670-0

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