Split Bar Hopkinson with Springs Striker Bar Launcher

Research on the dynamic strength of various materials such as metallic materials, polymers, concrete has been done by many researchers. The Split Hopkinson Bar method is still used to produce a high strain rate. In this method, a striker bar is usually launched using pressurized gas. However, high security system is required to prevent leakage as the operating pressure is very high. Avoiding the use of high-pressure gas, in this study, a mechanical system of springs used to propel the Striker Bar. By varying the spring deflection of 1 cm to 8 cm, a linear Striker Bar velocity from 2.17 m/s until 19.45 m/s is obtained. Aluminum alloy Al-2024 has been tested with this tool and it is found that at the maximum Striker Bar velocity, strain rate on the material can be reach 1132 s-1, and dynamic compression yield strength increase 56% from quasi-static compression yield strength.