Dynamic Strength of a Eutectic Bismuth–Lead Alloy in the Solid and Liquid States

The dynamic tensile strength (spall strength) of a eutectic bismuth–lead alloy is measured in the solid and liquid states in the temperature range from room temperature to 102°C for the solid phase and in the range 130–150°C for the melt. Melting is found to be accompanied by a decrease in the dynamic tensile strength by almost an order of magnitude. The Hugoniot elastic limit and the spall strength of the alloy in the solid state decrease with increasing test temperature.