Experimental Determination of the Spallation Strength of Polymer Materials

The results of the experimental determination of the spallation strength of polymer materials are presented using samples made of acrylic glass and polystyrene as examples. The study was conducted in the energy density range of 35–1500 J/cm2. Despite the similar physical and technical parameters of the examined polymers (acrylic glass, polystyrene, epoxy resins), the nature of their failure under pulsed volumetric energy release is different [1, 2]. It has been shown that, in polystyrene, cracks originate directly from the energy release zone, while in acrylic glass, a transparent undamaged area is observed next to the energy release zone, beyond which cracks form. The spallation strength of polystyrene was determined to be σ = 0.35 GPa, which is similar to the spallation strength of acrylic glass. This is interesting, as the spatial localization of the failure zones in samples made from these two materials differs significantly.