The Mechanical and Optical Response of Polychlorotrifluoroethylene to One-Dimensional Shock Loading

A series of plate impact experiments have been performed to probe the shock behavior of polychlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE), in terms of its optical and mechanical response. Interfacial velocity measurements using interferometric techniques have shown differences between measured and actual velocities, and been used to determine changes in refractive index due to shock-induced density increases. These have further been used to determine an optical correction factor, and allow the possibility of PCTFE being used as an optical window in future shock loading experiments. The shear strength of shock loaded PCTFE has also been shown to be near-constant behind the shock front, in common with other fluorinated polymers, although the strength variation with impact stress is greater than other similar materials. It has been suggested that the presence of a larger chlorine atom replacing a fluorine allows for a degree of tacticity between polymer chains, with local variations of charge density along the chain (due to the presence of the chlorine atom) also having an effect.