Design of a low-velocity impact framework for evaluating space-grade materials

Abstract: Material deformation and failure under impact loading is a subject of active investigation in space science and often requires very specialized equipment for testing. In this work, we present the design, operational analysis and application of a low-velocity ($\sim 100$ m/s) projectile impact framework for evaluating the deformation and failure of space-grade materials. The system is designed to be modular and easily adaptable to various test geometries, while enabling accurate quantitative evaluation of plastic flow. Using coupled numerical methods and experimental techniques, we first establish an operating procedure for the system. Following this, its performance in two complementary impact configurations is demonstrated using numerical and experimental analysis. In the first, a Taylor impact test is performed for predicting the deformed shape of a cylindrical projectile impinging on a rigid substrate. In the second, deformation of a plate struck by a rigid projectile is evaluated. In both cases, physics-based models are used to interpret the resulting fields. We present a discussion of how the system may be used both for material property estimation (e.g., dynamic yield strength) as well as for failure evaluation (e.g., perforation and fracture) in the same projectile impact configuration.