Structural Transformations of Amorphous Carbon (Glassy Carbon) at High Shock Pressures

Abstract

Amorphous carbon (glassy carbon) samples were shock compressed up to 80 GPa and temperatures up to 1700 K for several microseconds. Glassy carbon samples before and after an explosive action are analyzed by X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy, and electron-probe microanalysis. It is shown that as a result of microsecond shock pressure exposure, glassy carbon is compacted to ρ_CG ≈ 2.3(5) g/cm³ and is partly transformed into a graphite-like nanomaterial with a cellular structure. At the level of crystallites, the density of glassy carbon increases via a decrease in the interplanar spacings and an increase in the crystallite thickness and width. Spheres from 20 nm to 80 μm in diameter are found to be formed during shock-wave compression of glassy carbon in a copper container and high-temperature shock heating posteffects. Spheres 20 μm in diameter consist of a copper-rich core and a carbon shell.