Study of a converging short pressure pulse generated in a cylindrical polymer shell by an electron beam

This paper presents experimental and theoretical results from an investigation of the excitation and propagation of converging pressure waves in cylindrical shells made of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) producing spalling phenomena in the inner surface of the shell. It is found that fracture of the inner surface of a cylindrical shell requires a greater load as compared to the fracture of the rear side of a planar plate of the same material. The reasons for the observed phenomena are analyzed. The experimental results are compared with the results of a numerical simulation that takes into account phenomena occurring in the nonlinear region of elastoplastic deformation of polymer materials used as a base and in composite materials. Zh. Tekh. Fiz. 67, 88–94 (January 1997)