Elastic precursor decay and spallation in nonporous tungsten carbide ceramics

To identify the possible contribution of relaxation processes to the resistance against high-rate deformation, evolution of shock-compression waves in tungsten carbide (WC) ceramics manufactured by spark-plasma sintering at a maximum compressive stress of 27 GPa is measured. Strong elastic precursor decay upon changing the thickness of the samples from 0.15 to 4 mm is revealed. At maximum shock compressive stresses twice exceeding the Hugoniot elastic limit, a decrease in the spall strength value by about 30% from its value in the elastic region is recorded.