Published online by Cambridge University Press: 05 April 2013
Large scale molecular-dynamics simulations of plane shock loading in SiC are performed to reveal the interplay between shock-induced compaction, structural phase transformation (SPT) and plastic deformation. The shock profile is calculated for a wide range of particle velocity from 0.1 km/s to 6.0 km/s. Single crystalline models indicate no induced plasticity or SPT for shock loading below 2.0 km/s. For intermediate particle velocity, between 2.0 km/s and 4.5 km/s the generated shock wave splits into an elastic precursor and a zinc blende to rocksalt structural transformation wave. That is induced by the increase in shock pressure to over 90 GPa and results in a steep increase of density from 3.21 g/cm3 to ∼4.65 g/cm3. For particle velocity greater than 4.5 km/s a single overdriven transformation shock wave is generated. These simulation results provide an atomistic view of the dynamic effects of shock impact on single crystal high-strength ceramics.