Determination of the b1⇄b2 dynamic transition of potassium chloride with Manganin gauges

The dynamic b1⇄b2 phase transformation of KCl was investigated in a series of plane wave experiments. Commercial Manganin gauges, used as in-material stress gauges, recorded stress histories of the shock loaded KCl specimens. Using calibration curves for the gauge’s response under shock loading and unloading the values of the b1⇄b2 transformation stresses were determined. It was found that the b1→b2 transition is at 2.34 GPa while the reverse b2→b1 transition is at 1.61 GPa. These values are in good agreement with values given by other workers using static and dynamic methods.