The effect of nano-particles on the one-dimensional shock compaction of Al-MnO$_{2}$-Epoxy mixtures

This work numerically explores the effect of nano-particles on the dynamic behavior of Al-MnO$_{2}$-Epoxy mixtures in a planar shock configuration. One-dimensional flyer plate experiments were conducted on the heterogenous mixture where stress wave signatures were measured with VISAR, manganin or PVDF gauges.~ Mesoscale simulations were carried out using the Eulerian hydrodynamic code CTH to simulate a planar shock wave propagating across the heterogeneous mixture; these simulations resolve the grain interactions, explore potential hot spot formations, and investigate the stress history.~Simulation results are compared to experimental data in order to verify the method, then the state space is explored with the addition of nano-particles of aluminum.~ Average longitudinal stress measurements obtained from the mesoscale simulations compare favorably with the stress measurements obtained from the experiments.~