Shock melting and the hcp-bcc phase boundary of Mg under dynamic loading

The high-temperature and high-pressure response of magnesium has been investigated through shock-release experiments performed up to shock melting. The longitudinal and bulk sound speeds ofMg are reported along the Hugoniot from 25 to 56 GPa and used to determine the elastic properties and Gruneisen parameter. The hexagonal close-packed (hcp)-body-centered cubic (bcc) phase transition is marked by a reduction in the determined shear wave speed. Thermal softening is observed to begin between 40 and 44 GPa, with incipient melt at 55.5 GPa, in close agreement with previous diffraction measurements under laser shock loading. Examination of the release profiles showed that two different responses were observed, depending on the peak stress. When plotted in a stress-energy phase diagram, the two responses are observed to form separate lines that intersect the static hcp-bcc phase transition and incipient melt. The results indicate that the hcp-bcc transition occurs on the Hugoniot at 28.4 GPa and place the hcp-bcc-liquid triple point similar to 20 GPa. A multiphase equation of state is developed which places the melt boundary below the previously reported static measurements.

Automated summary

Experimental investigation on high-temperature and high-pressure response of magnesium revealed the phase transition and incipient melt points, with the elastic properties and sound speeds used to determine the behavior. Results showed two distinct responses based on peak stress levels, forming separate lines on a stress-energy phase diagram that intersected key phase transitions. The development of a multiphase equation of state placed the melt boundary at a lower pressure than previously reported static measurements.