Influence of cellophane diaphragm rupture processes on the shock wave formation in a shock tube

Diaphragm opening processes with a finite time affect the generated shock waves and shock tube flows. This effect is dominant in short and low-pressure shock tubes. In this research, a high-speed visualization of the opening process of a cellophane diaphragm, which is a suitable material for operation in a low-pressure shock tube, is conducted. The self-shaping opening morphology of cellophane diaphragms is observed at the initial stage with an approximate crack propagation speed of 807 m/s, which is greater than the speed of sound of the test gas. The initial opening motion of the petals, which are formed by cracks, is successfully modeled by the rotational equation of motion. Through analysis of the generation and coalescence of compression waves, whose characteristic velocities are calculated from the measured pressure histories, the shock formation distance is reasonably estimated. From the visualized diaphragm opening processes and analysis of coalescence of compression waves, we revealed that the initial stage of the diaphragm opening process plays a dominant role in shock wave formation rather than the entire process.