Dynamic multiaxial response of a hot-pressed aluminum nitride

The dynamic multiaxial response of hot-pressed AlN is characterized through quasi-static uniaxial compression, dynamic uniaxial compression and dynamic confined compression experiments within the strain rate range of 10−3-103 s−1. Real-time visualization shows the failure patterns change from axial splitting under uniaxial dynamic compression to shear faulting under confinement. The compressive strength is moderately sensitive to both the confining stress and the loading rate. Post-mortem fracture surface studies show that the dominant fracture mechanism remains transgranular fracture under all loading conditions.