Evolution of shock waves in SiC ceramic

The evolution of a shock compression wave in SiC ceramic is measured for determining the possible contribution of relaxation processes to the high-rate straining. No appreciable decay of the elastic precursor and other features of stress relaxation are revealed when the sample thickness changes from 0.5 to 8.3 mm, and the evolution of the compression wave corresponds to a simple wave. The measured values of the Hugoniot elastic limit (σ_HEL = 8.72 ± 0.17 GPa) and spall strength (σ_sp = 0.50–0.62 GPa) with allowance for the density of the ceramic are in conformity with the available data.