Finite element simulation of exfoliation experiments

We previously reported bond strength measurements of metal/ceramic interfaces using shock waves to separate the bond by spallation. The technique relies on interpretation of the free surface velocity of a metal film as it is spalled from its substrate. A number of questions have been raised concerning the details of the interaction of the shock and interface. We provide answers by numerically modeling the experiments. We rederive the relationship between the maximum stress at the bond interface and the free surface velocity of the metal overlayer. We compare the analytical result with numerical calculations based on less restrictive assumptions, thereby supporting the analysis. We illustrate important design considerations of the experiment with numerical calculation and in the process, evaluate the effect of the artificial damping on the numerical results