Dynamic response of glass under low-velocity impact and high strain-rate SHPB compression loading

• Punch-shear and SHPB compression dynamic tests were performed on four types of glass.
• Starphire glass shows the highest energy absorption in low-velocity punch-shear test.
• Borosilicate glass shows the highest energy absorption in SHPB compression test.
• Dynamic response of glass material is highly dependent to the strain-rate.
• Glass specimens with better polished surface show better performance in SHPB test.

In this research, the dynamic response and energy absorption characteristics of four different types of commercially available glass have been investigated experimentally. Soda lime, starphire, borosilicate, and fused silica were characterized using a Dynatup 8250 drop weight impact test system, and a Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar (SHPB). In the low-velocity punch-shear experiments, similar trend has been observed for all glass types, while starphire and borosilicate exhibited the highest total energy absorption. High strain-rate SHPB compression tests were carried out on cylindrical glass samples at two different strain-rates. Borosilicate showed higher failure strain, compressive strength, and energy absorption compared to the other glass types. The SHPB compression results indicated high dependency of mechanical behavior of glass materials to strain-rate. The effects of surface flaws on dynamic mechanical behavior of borosilicate glass under SHPB compression loading were also investigated.