Cubic zirconia as a dynamic compression window

Abstract

Symmetric impact experiments were used to characterize the elastic response of 〈100〉 cubic zirconia crystals under shock wave compression. Elastic response was determined from the apparent velocity structure upon free surface release and the preservation of light passing through the compressed sample. The Hugoniot and window correction were determined below 9 GPa, and the estimated elastic limit was found to be near 10 GPa. These results indicate that cubic zirconia may serve as a useful alternate to sapphire in dynamic compression experiments. © 2008 American Institute of Physics.