Flash X-ray radiography of internal damage in soft cellular materials during instrumented dynamic penetration

Processes of internal damage development during localized dynamic penetration represent a crucial mechanism important for relevant analysis of deformation and failure of plates and sandwich panels under high strain rate conditions. Soft cellular materials are of special importance as the internal damage defines mode of collapse and energy absorption capabilities. In this paper, a fast X-ray radiography is employed for in-situ analysis of the internal damage development in soft closed-cell aluminum foam subjected to a localized high strain rate penetration using an instrumented projectile in a direct impact Hopkinson bar apparatus. The process with a typical duration of a few milliseconds is visualized using four X-ray projections acquired using a flash X-ray system and a high-speed camera. Internal damage such as cracking, shear failure in the vicinity of the projectile, and compaction of the material is successfully identified. This unique method utilizing a laboratory based X-ray source allows for characterization of the penetration mechanism that has been usually analyzed only in post-mortem state.