Effects of target temperature on size distribution of ejecta in hypervelocity impact : Toward revision of ISO11227

Abstract

As a preliminary study, the effects of target temperature on ejecta size were examined at an impact velocity of 3.5 km/s with the goal of improving the ISO11227. At first, the size of each ejecta collected from test chamber, was examined by the image analysis software using a photograph of each ejecta (direct method). The cumulative number distributions of ejecta size were discussed. The effects of target temperature on ejecta size were small within a predictable range. After that, we compared the ejecta size distribution of the direct method with the results of the international standard method using witness plate (indirect method). The number of ejecta impact craters evaluated by the international standard method was very small at the high temperature. The results of international standard method using witness plate were easily influenced by temperature of target at the high temperature. It is highly possible that the international standard method underestimate the ejecta from target at high temperature.

Keywords

• space debris
• high velocity
• international standard for experimental procedure
• spacecraft material ejecta
• image analysis
• witness plate