Dynamic response of graphene and yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) composites

A series of dynamic compaction studies were performed on yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) and graphene composites using uniaxial flyer plate impact experiments. Studies aimed to characterize variation in dynamic behavior with respect to morphological differences for eight powdered YSZ and graphene compositions. Parameters of interest included YSZ particle size (nanometer or micrometer) and added graphene content (graphene weight percentage: 0%, 1%, 3%, 5%). Experiments were performed over impact velocities ranging between 315 and 586 m/s, resulting in pressures between 0.8 and 2.8 GPa. Hugoniot states measured appear to exhibit dependence on particle size and graphene content. Shock velocities tended to increase with graphene content and were generally larger in magnitude for the micrometer particle size YSZ. Compacted densities tended to increase as graphene content was increased and were generally larger in magnitude for the micrometer particle size YSZ samples. Resulting Hugoniot curves are compared and summarized to convey the dynamic behavior of the specimens.