Consolidation Response of Brittle Particulate Materials to Shock Loading

A series of compaction experiments at low (quasi-static) and high strain rates were performed on three distinct morphology CeO2 powders. Characterization of the as-received powders revealed a wide range in particle size, shape, surface features, and particle configurations. Microstructural features are related to measureable variations in the compaction response for the powders under quasi- static loading. Specifically, factors affecting particle rearrangement during the initial stages of compaction were found to have the strongest influence on the low strain rate compaction response. Particle morphology was observed to have a reduced influence during dynamic impact loading, and all three distinct morphology powders were found to display similar compaction responses. For the CeO2 powders investigated, it is believed that total compact porosity and/or particle strength are the factor(s) dominating the dynamic consolidation response in the incomplete compaction region.