IDENTIFICATION OF FORMATION OF CONICALLY CONVERGING SHOCK-WAVES IN ANALUMINA-SPHERE-DISPERSED COPPER ROD

Shock compression of a concentric assembly of an inner rod and an oute r cylinder which has a higher shock velocity than the rod led to gener ation of a Mach disk in the rod due to interference of conically conve rging shock waves. A sintered copper rod containing small alumina sphe res was used as the inner rod. Shock wave configuration including Mach disk formation in the rod was identified through the observation of d eformation of the alumina spheres.