Shock wave propagation in dense particle suspensions

Shock wave propagation in a multiphase suspension is studied experimentally. Particle suspensions are used as a means of obtaining a system in which there is limited initial interparticle contacts with a large degree of parametric variability. Suspensions were created in ethylene glycol at several volume fractions (41%, 48%, and 54%) of silicon carbide particles. Plate impact experiments are conducted to obtain the shock Hugoniots of the various suspensions at particle velocities in the range of 200-900 m/s. Transitions are shown to exist in the Us-up Hugoniots of the suspensions. In situ longitudinal and lateral stress measurements are made in the 48% suspension at two different impact velocities demonstrating a deviatoric stress component to the stress state in the suspension. The results are discussed in terms of the development of extensive interparticle contacts in a mechanism analogous to classical shear thickening in dense suspensions. (C) 2010 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3504858]