Design and MHD modeling of ATLAS experiments to study friction

Transverse shear at the interface of two solids occurs when these solids move at different velocities. This frictional phenomenon is being studied in a series of experiments on the ATLAS capacitor bank at Los Alamos. Cylindrical targets to test friction force models are composed of alternating regions of high- and low-shock speed materials. When the target is impacted by a cylindrical, magnetically-accelerated aluminum liner, the differential shock velocity in the two materials establishes the desired shear at the interface. One- and two-dimensional MHD calculations have been performed to design liners with suitable properties to drive these 'friction-like' ATLAS experiments. A thick impactor allows the shock to be maintained for several microseconds. The ATLAS experiments use a liner that is approximately 10 mm thick at impact, with an inner surface velocity of {approx} 1.4-1.5 km/s. Interaction of this thick liner with the electrodes, or glide planes, results in significant deformation of the hardened stainless steel electrodes. Data from the ATLAS experiments and comparisons with the calculations will be presented, along with plans for future experiments.