Spatial and temporal evolution of dynamic damage in single crystal αα-quartz

• Dynamic damage evolution of single crystal alpha quartz is presented.
• Our results determined the preferential cleavage plane as the second order trigonal–pyramidal.
• We compare the empirical scalar damage to existing micromechanics damage models.

The quantitative measurement of the spatial and temporal evolution of dynamic damage from impact failure is necessary to provide understanding and accurately predict the overall dynamic mechanical behavior of brittle ceramics. This paper characterizes the spatial and temporal evolution of dynamic damage in synthetic single crystal quartz specimens used as a model material system. Single crystal x-cut αα-quartz is impacted using a Kolsky (split-Hopkinson) bar in the [112¯0] and [101¯0] directions. The heterogeneity of the damage evolution presented provides insight into the failure processes, as well as benchmark data for computational simulations of dynamic failure. The results revealed a reduction in the rate of damage near peak loading, and dynamic failure was found to occur preferentially along the second order trigonal–pyramidal or (112¯2) plane. These findings are compared to an existing analytical micromechanical damage model and are discussed in terms of the crystalline anisotropy and general fracture mechanics theory.