The dynamics of shock droplet interaction plays an important role in multiphase compressible flows and has immense application in various fields such as aviation, rocket engines, powder technology and various other engineering applications. The impact of the shock wave on the droplet depends mainly on the fluid and flow parameters. In general, the breakup of droplets is classified into two stages: (I) initial interaction and (II) breakup of droplets by the shock-induced flow. Stage I involves the development of reflected, transmitted, and refracted shock waves that are formed after an incident shock hits the droplet surface. During this regime, the droplet retains its original shape and is passive to the changes in its environment. Stage II involves deforming the droplets, stripping the mist from the equator, and breaking up the coherent droplet. In the present study, droplet deformation and break-up patterns after the interaction of shock waves at different Weber numbers (We) were investigated using visualization techniques based on shadows and schlieren. The droplet breakup mode changes from stable to unstable-sheet/catastrophic-breakup as the Weber number increases. Such a range of We numbers can be used in the above-mentioned applications. This study can also be helpful as an idealized case for the complex interactions involved in the manufacture of steel powder in a tightly coupled atomization process.
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