Damage in metals caused by high-strain-rate loading

Damage caused by high-strain-rate loading (explosive loading. perforation o f target, various impacts) in metallic materials is described briefly. Mech anism of plastic deformation is different at high strain rates in compariso n with quasistatic loading because specific phenomena appear. They are stre ss and shock waves, strain localization (adiabatic shear bands - ASBs), adi abatic heating etc. Generally, it can be said that at high rates of loading no parameter (strain, strain rate, stress, temperature) remains constant. These specific features are illustrated by few examples: perforation of met allic target-by a shaped charge jet, structure of ASBs, and spalling.