Response of Alpha-Aluminum Oxide to Shock Impact

The response of a-Al203 to shock impact has been investigated in terms of substructure development, and the relationship between plastic flow and fracture, including microcracking. Both alumina single crystals and polycrystals were explosively shock loaded permitting the influence of crystallographic orientation and grain boundaries on the defect substructures and fracture to be examined. Several active slip systems, along with basal twinning, were observed. Crystallographic orientation and grain boundaries had significant influences on plastic deformation and fracture. Shock loading with (101̄2) perpendicular to the shock wave direction, introduced the most intense defect substructure. The observations indicate a close relationship between plastic flow and fracture