Abstract:
Periodic stacked gradient materials with independently controllable wave impedance distributions and minimal physical phase reactions are now being used to realize quasi-isentropic loading. However, due to limitations in preparation technology, the wave system action time of the currently prepared periodic stacked gradient materials is on the order of nanoseconds, which makes it difficult to achieve loading times of significantly larger magnitudes. In this study, the tape casting process was systematically investigated, and large-size Al-Cu periodic stacked gradient materials were successfully prepared using a combined technique of tape casting and low-temperature densification. The mass and quasi-isentropic loading properties were verified through microstructural characterization and dynamic loading experiments. The results show that the gradient structure of the material is well-defined, the interlayer parallelism is high, the layer interface is well bonded, and there are no crack defects or intermetallic compounds generated. The material has a densification of 95.8% and an overall deformation of less than 15 μm. The Al-Cu periodic stacked gradient material was loaded with a 6 μm Al target at a driving speed of 510.6 m/s, and the loading waveform oscillated and increased with a loading time approaching 1 μs. By correcting the experimental material's Al/Cu periodic layer thickness and Cu layer wave impedance, the design simulation results and the experimental curve loading trend are in good agreement, showing excellent quasi-isentropic loading characteristics. This study provides a theoretical basis and technical support for the application of periodic stacked gradient materials in new preparation techniques.