Impact Testing Facility

The impact testing facility consists of:

  • A gas cannon that operates with pressurized nitrogen
  • A protective polycarbonate chamber, practically bulletproof
  • High-speed imaging apparatus, up to 500k fps

The facility is capable of launching projectiles at 300 m/s. Higher velocities are feasible upon calibration.

Set-up

Gas gun facility: nitrogen tank, pressure vessel, barrel and protective chamber
  1. 1Nitrogen tank
  2. 2Pressure vessel
  3. 3Pressure gauges & safety valves
  4. 4Barrel
  5. 5Protective chamber (polycarbonate)
Photron FASTCAM SA4 high-speed camera
High-speed camera FASTCAM SA4 500,000 fps · 8 GB memory

Capabilities

Max. projectile Ø60 mm Projectile diameter
Velocity 300+ m/s Typical range 20–150 m/s
Impact energy ~2 kJ Steel ball Ø25 mm @ 250 m/s
Ø10 mm @ 300 m/s → 180 J
Measurement
  • High-speed cameras
  • 3D Digital Image Correlation
  • High-frequency laser Doppler vibrometer
  • Chronographs

High-Speed Imaging

45,000 fpsPost-impact waves on glass/epoxy composite plate
40,000 fps · 96 m/sCarbon/epoxy penetration with steel ball impactor (Bladeout)
16,000 fps · 160 m/sHi-speed imaging of hailstone impact on composite leading edge (FIMAC)
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