Steady Wave Analysis of Wave Propagation in Laminates and Mechanical Mixtures

A mechanical theory is developed for the propagation of steady waves in laminated media. This analysis treats wave propagation parallel and perpendicular to the laminate plates. It predicts the response of the composite from a knowledge of the component vol ume fractions and mechanical equation of states. Under the restric tion of fluid or hydrodynamic materials, the results yield a hydro dynamic prediction which is independent of composite geometry. Consequently, the analysis is equally applicable to mechanical mix tures. Theoretical calculations are compared to experimental Hu goniot results for a cloth laminate quartz phenolic, a plate laminate and three mechanical mixtures of Al 2 O 3 in epoxy. Excellent agree ment is obtained at low stresses, if the expected deviations caused by material strength are recognized. Thermodynamic effects caused by deviations of the loading path from that of a single shock become more predominant as the stress increases. Models describing both the strength and thermodynamic effects are discussed.