USING NEMATIC LIQUID-CRYSTALS TO VISUALIZE DYNAMICALLY INITIATED STRESS MODES IN COPPER

Translational and rotational stress modes in polished copper specimens after uniaxial impact loading in the velocity range of 35-315 m/sec h ave been visualized for the first time. In contrast: with conventional methods of optical and electron microscopy, a method based on the use of nematic liquid crystals made it possible to determine the rotation angles of rotors and to detect the tracks of turbulent fluxes of the material after loading characterized by different velocities. Rotation al dynamic stress mechanisms of copper are thereby experimentally conf irmed.