High-Speed X-Ray Imaging Facilities for Impact Dynamics at Intermediate and High Strain Rates

This paper presents two advanced in-situ X-ray imaging facilities developed for studying material behavior under dynamic loading conditions at both intermediate and high strain rates.The first facility, optimized for intermediate strain rate testing using an apparatus based on linear motors, utilizes continuous axial X-ray radiography to capture internal material processes during impact testing, with frame rates ranging from 100 fps to 500 fps using a laboratory camera, and up to 2000 fps using a high-speed camera.The second facility, designed for high strain rate testing, integrates a flash X-ray system capable of capturing ultra-high-speed events with frame rates in the tens of thousands of frames per second.This imaging system is coupled with modular Split Hopkinson Bar (SHPB), Direct Impact Hopkinson Bar (DIHB), and Open Hopkinson Pressure Bar (OHPB) devices for dynamic material testing, enabling precise measurements of force, velocity, and displacement.The facilities have enabled successful visualization and analysis of complex deformation and failure mechanisms in various materials, providing significant insights into deformation response under dynamic conditions.Despite challenges related to resolution, frame rates, and contrast, these systems offer valuable insights with the potential for further optimization and comparison with particle-accelerator based results.