Spallation in NiTi under One-Dimensional Shock Loading

The dynamic response of the shape memory alloy NiTi has been of interest to a number of investigators because it displays a shape memory effect. The dynamic tensile (spall) strength of this material is measured under one-dimensional shock loading. The loading stress pulse length and impact stress were varied to a peak stress of 15 GPa. The pull back stress (σpbs) was found to increase with the applied pulse length. This suggests that the dynamic tensile strength is dependent upon the generation of a deformation micro structure that evolves behind the shock front. In contrast, increasing stress levels result in a near-constant pull back stress, although at the lowest applied stress, spallation did not occur