THE HUGONIOT ELASTIC LIMIT OF SODA‐LIME GLASS

Soda‐lime glass (SLG) is a highly available low cost glass formulation commonly used in window applications. Over the past decade, there have been a number of studies which have examined the Hugoniot elastic limit (HEL) of this material resulting in a wide range of values from 3.1 to 6.0 GPa. The determination of the HEL is complicated by many factors including ramp loading due to the convex downward curvature of the Hugoniot at low pressures. Results of transmitted wave profile experiments up to 20 GPa are presented and analyzed to determine the loading and release characteristics of SLG near the HEL. Results indicate a response that is more complex than the elastic—plastic response typical of many materials, possibly explaining the wide range in initially reported HEL values.