The equation of state and shock-driven decomposition of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA)

Abstract

We present new equations of state (EOS) for polymethylmethacrylate and its shock-driven decomposition products, generated in both tabular form and as linear [Formula: see text] fits to all previously available shock data. Different approaches are taken for materials shocked above and below the apparent threshold for chemical reactions at pressures [Formula: see text] GPa. Both EOSs are calibrated to and compared with a broad array of experimental results, as well as new ab initio molecular dynamics simulations presented here. Comparisons are good in most cases, and we focus our particular attention on those observables that test the distinction between reactants and products.