ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT: The mechanical properties of materials depend on the strain rate. The materials scientist is interested in strain rates varying from creep (strain rates ε = 10−8 s−1) to shock ( ε = 10+8 s−1). This paper reviews the history of the subject, the techniques used (such as drop-weight machines, split Hopkinson bars, Taylor impact, and shock loading), and results. Key related areas are high-speed photography and optical techniques which allow high time and spatial resolution respectively. For a more detailed review, with 325 references, see (Field et al. 2004).
