Dynamic behaviour of plasma sprayed Ni and Ta

A series of plate impact experiments have been conducted on samples of plasma sprayed Ni and Ta to improve our understanding of their performance under high strain rate loading. The samples were fielded alongside conventional Ni or Ta to provide a direct comparison under identical loading conditions, and were diagnosed with rear surface velocimetry to supply velocity-time records. Analysis of this data revealed significant differences between the conventional and plasma sprayed material under shock loading. The materials were also characterised pre-shot to better understand the microstructure generated by the plasma spraying process, which proved to be highly anisotropic with some residual porosity.