Pages 249-250
A mercury target vessel will be subjected to pressure wave generated by rapid thermal expansion of mercury due to pulsed proton beam injection. The pressure wave will propagate from the liquid mercury to the vessel (solid metal). The pressure wave may induce cavitation on the interface between the vessel and the liquid mercury due to coupled behavior between the pressure waves and deformation of the vessel. In order to investigate the cavitation damage due to coupled behavior, we have carried out impact tests on the mercury by using a modified conventional split Hopkinson pressure bar apparatus. Test pieces with 16 mm diameter and 5 mm thickness; A6061-T6,316LSS, Inconel600 Maraging steel and CrN coating on 316LSS, were set on the ends of both bars contacting the mercury. Many pits were observed on the specimen surface. The ranking order of cavitation damage is A6061-T6>316LSS ≅Inconel600>Maraging steel, which is the same order as the hardness of materials. The harder material such as CrN coating on 316LSS was not damaged.
