Hydrodynamic simulation of hypervelocity generation by multidimensional graded impactors: Planarity enhancement study

Hypervelocity impact in the universe can be generated by a three-stage gas gun. Achieving the desirable planarity of the flyer enlarges the experimentally effective area of the flyer under the hypervelocity condition. The multidimensional graded density impactor (MDGDI) enhances the planarity of the flyer. In this investigation, a one-dimensional Lagrange elastoplastic hydrodynamic method and a Euler grid finite difference method were used to examine the relationship between the structure of graded density impactors (GDIs) and the planarity of flyers. MDGDIs lead to a deviation of the stress wave produced by the one-dimensional graded density impactor (1DGDI), which offsets the stress disturbance effect, changes the velocity at each particle, and enhances the planarity of flyers. The proportion of flat areas of the flyer increases from 52.70% to 95.71% by adopting MDGDIs. The proportion of flat areas is linear with the wave impedance of the high-impedance layer for 1DGDIs and the wave impedance near the barrel of the high-impedance layer for MDGDIs. This investigation guides the design of GDIs and expands the application of gas gun technology in the field of hypervelocity impact.