This paper discusses the influence of the type of materials used to fabricate the damping rings aimed for interrupting a dynamic tension experiment on the results of a modified Split Hopkinson Tension Bar (SHTB). The damping rings enclosed in an external fixture which modifies the classical SHTB play a significant role in buffering the dynamic tension experiments before the specimen reaches its failure strength. Finite-element (FE) simulations of high-strain-rate tension experiments are

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... shed on Aluminum 7017-T73 alloy specimens when varying the damping rings material used. FE analyses described herein are applied to simulate the effects of the variation of the composition of the damping rings material (i.e., glass fiber-reinforced polystyrene) to provide a reference for improvement of a modified SHTB experimental apparatus and guidance for future studies in which an optimum material for the damping rings can be studied. In view of this research, it can be concluded that whilst the influence of the damping rings density, ductility, and ultimate tensile strength is definitely a relevant factor to be taken into account. On the contrary, there is no relevant effect of Poisson's ratio, yield strength, and Young's modulus when interrupting the SHTB experiment and therefore they can be excluded as factors influencing the interruption process. Keyword-Dynamic Tension experiment, high strain rate testing, damping rings, stress-strain curve, finite element method, split Hopkinson tension bar, glass fiber-reinforced polystyrene.