Measurements of the dynamic spall strength in aluminum, copper, and Metglas shocked by a high-power laser to hundreds of kilobars pressure are reported. The strain rates in these experiments are of the order of 10 7 s Ϫ1 , which cannot be reached in impact experiments. The free-surface velocity behavior associated with spallation is characterized by oscillations caused by the reverberations of the spall layer. An optically recording velocity interferometer system was developed to measure the free-surface velocity time history. This diagnostic method has the advantages of being a noninterfering system and produces a highly accurate continuous measurement in time. The spall strength was calculated from the free-surface velocity as a function of the strain rate. The results show a rapid increase in the spall strength, suggesting that a critical phenomenon occurs at strain rates ϳ10 7 s Ϫ1 , expressed by the sudden approach to the theoretical value of the spall strength.

The approach to the ultimate strength of metals is determined experimentally. The ultimate strength of metals was calculated using a realistic wide-range equation of state. The strength of metals was measured using shock waves created in aluminum and copper foils with a short- (20–100 ps) pulse high-power laser. The strength of the materials was determined from the free-surface-velocity time history, which was measured with an optically recording velocity interferometer system. The strain rates in these experiments were in the range (1.5–5)×108 s−1.

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Measurements of the dynamic strength, in tin and zinc, shocked by a high power pulsed laser to tens of kilobars pressures are reported. The strain rates in these experiments are of the order of 107 s−1, higher by two-to-three orders of magnitude than those reached with conventional shock generators like plane impacts or explosives. The free surface velocity time history, which is related to the spallation process, was measured with an optical recording velocity interferometer system. This diagnostic technique is noninterfering and provides a highly accurate continuous measurement in time. The spall strength estimated from the free surface velocity profile was compared with the theoretical upper limit for the spall strength, calculated from a wide range equation of state for metals.

The approach to the ultimate strength of metals is determined experimentally. The strength of the materials and the strain rate were determined from the free surface velocity time history, which was measured with an optically recording velocity interferometer system. The dynamic strength was measured at strain rates in the domain of 5·106 to 5·108 s−1. The necessary tension to break the metal (spall) and the very high strain rates were achieved using high-powered lasers in nanosecond and picosecond regimes. The measurements at strain rates larger than 108 s−1 were achieved for the first time. The ultimate strength of metals was calculated using a realistic wide-range equation of state. Our experiments indicate that under very fast tension processes, the dynamic strength of materials is determined not by the macroscopic defects but by atomic quantum mechanical processes described by the equation of state of the material. The rate of the process is described by the strain rate, and at strain rates higher than 5·107 s−1, the atomic forces are dominating the dynamic strength of materials.

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A novel approach is suggested, using laser-induced shock wave measurements to estimate the effects of cathodic hydrogen charging on the mechanical properties and fracture characteristics of materials. This approach is applied to (1) determine the dominant mechanism of hydrogen embrittlement (HE) in an amorphous Fe 80 B 11 Si 9 alloy; and (2) estimate the effects of the high pressures involved in cathodic charging. The dynamic spall strength of an amorphous Fe 80 B 11 Si 9 alloy shocked before and after hydrogenation by a high-power laser to very high pressures (tens of giga Pascals) is measured. The dynamic spall strength of crystalline iron is measured as well for comparison. An optically recording velocity interferometer system (ORVIS) is used to measure the profile of the free surface velocity in time. The spall strength and the strain rate are calculated from the measurement of the free surface velocity as a function of time. Fracture characteristics are studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The main conclusions are (1) the most reasonable mechanism of HE in the amorphous Fe-Si-B alloy is the high-pressure bubble formation; (2) the high pressures involved in cathodic hydrogen charging or laser-induced shock waves measurements may have similar effects on fracture characteristics; and (3) at very high strain rates, the spall strength is determined mainly by the interatomic bonds.