Spall strength measurements in aluminum, copper and metallic glass at strain rates of ∼107 s−1

Measurements of the dynamic spall strength in Aluminum, Copper and metallic glass shocked by a high power laser to pressures of hundreds of kilobars are reported. An optically recording velocity interferometer system has been developed to measure the free surface velocity time history. 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 with the strain rate at strain rates of about 107 s−1.