泡沫铝防护屏的Whipple防护结构弹道极限数值模拟研究

为研究泡沫铝板作为防护屏的Whipple防护结构抵御空间碎片超高速撞击的特性,模仿泡沫金属的生产原理建立了泡沫金属细观结构几何模型,结合自编的光滑质点流体动力学程序进行了超高速撞击数值仿真,通过与实验对比验证了模型的有效性.分别对相对密度为23.2%的理想均匀和非均匀开孔泡沫铝板作为防护屏的Whipple防护结构进行了数值仿真,得到了它们的弹道极限曲线,并与实心铝板作为防护屏的Whipple防护结构进行了对比分析.结果表明,相同面密度的泡沫铝板相对于实心铝板能够在更低的速度上将弹丸粉碎、液化及气化.泡沫铝板作为防护屏,在总体上拥有更好的防护性能;相同面密度的理想均匀泡沫铝板的防护性能总体上优于非均匀泡沫铝板.     

Ballistic performance of multi-layered metallic plates impacted by a 7.62-mm APM2 projectile

This paper presents a numerical investigation of the ballistic performance of monolithic, double- and triple-layered metallic plates made of either steel or aluminium or a combination of these materials, impacted by a 7.62-mm APM2 projectile in the velocity range of 775–950 m/s. Numerical models were developed using the explicit finite element code LS-DYNA. It was found that monolithic plates have a better ballistic performance than that of multi-layered plates made of the same material. This effect diminishes with impact velocity. It was also found that double-layered plates with a thin front plate of aluminium and thick back steel plate exhibit greater resistance than multi-layered steel plates with similar areal density. These predictions indicate that multi-layered targets using different metallic materials should be investigated for improved ballistic performance and weight-savings.     

分层对TC4钛合金板抗平头弹撞击失效特性的影响

使用Abaqus/Explicit有限元分析软件,开展平头弹撞击不同厚度双层TC4钛合金板数值模拟,研究双层TC4钛合金板撞击失效特性与失效模式随厚度变化规律及机理。通过对比撞击试验与仿真结果,验证数值模型和参数的有效性。在此基础上与等厚度单层TC4钛合金板的抗侵彻性能进行对比,结果表明,对于12.68 mm直径的平头弹,在靶板厚度2~16 mm内,双层结构的弹道极限与总厚度近似呈线性关系。由于单层靶板在4~10 mm内随着厚度增加,弹道极限无明显变化,所以等厚接触式双层结构在该厚度范围相比单层靶有明显的优势。在总厚度为8 mm时,双层靶优势最为明显,弹道极限相比单层靶提高了43%左右。     

间隙对A3钢薄板抗卵形头弹侵彻性能影响的实验研究

为了分析板间间隙大小对双层板失效模式以及抗侵彻性能的影响,本文利用轻气炮进行了卵形杆弹正撞击单层板和等厚双层板的实验研究,得到了各种结构靶体的初始-剩余速度曲线和弹道极限速度。实验表明,对于卵形弹,单层板的弹道极限高于双层板的弹道极限,包括接触式和间隙式。当总厚度一定时,多层板的弹道极限随分层数目的增加而减小。此外,间隙大小对间隙式双层板的抗侵彻性能影响小,并且随着弹体初始速度的增加而减小。     

The effect of hybridization on the ballistic impact behavior of hybrid composite armors

In the present study, effect of hybridization on the hybrid composite armors under ballistic impact is investigated using hydrocode simulations. The hybrid composite armor is constructed using various combinations and stacking sequences of fiber reinforced composites having woven form of fibers specifically high specific-modulus/high specific-strength Kevlar fiber (KF), tough, high strain-to-failure fiber Glass fiber (GF) and high strength/high stiffness Carbon fiber (CF). Different combinations of composite armors studied are KF layer in GF laminate, GF layer in KF laminate, KF layer in CF laminate and CF layer in KF laminate at various positions of hybridized layers for a fixed thickness of the target. In this article the results obtained from the finite element model are validated for the case of KF layer in a GF laminate with experimental predictions reported in the literature in terms of energy absorption and residual velocity and good agreement is observed. Further, the effect of stacking sequence, projectile geometry and target thickness on the ballistic limit velocity, energy absorbed by the target and the residual velocity are presented for different combinations of hybrid composite armors. The simulations show that, at a fixed thickness of the hybrid composite armor, stacking sequence of hybridized layer shows significant effect on the ballistic performance. The results also indicate energy absorption and ballistic limit velocity are sensitive to projectile geometry. Specifically, it is found that arranging the KF layer at the rear side, GF layer in the exterior and CF layer on the front side offers good ballistic impact resistance. The hybrid composite armor consisting of a CF layer in KF laminate acquires maximum impact resistance and is the best choice for the design compared to that of other combinations studied.     

Ballistic limit for oblique impact of thin sandwich panels and spaced plates

Ballistic perforations of monolithic steel sheets, two-layered sheets and lightweight sandwich panels were investigated both experimentally and numerically. The experiments were performed using a short cylindrical projectile with either a flat or hemispherical nose that struck the target plate at an angle of obliquity. A total of 170 tests were performed at angles of obliquity 0–45°. The results suggest that during perforation by a flat-nosed projectile, layered plates cause more energy loss than monolithic plates of the same material and total thickness. There was no significant difference in the measured ballistic limit speed between monolithic plates and layered plates during oblique impact perforation by a hemispherical-nosed projectile.     

The ballistic performance of metal plates subjected to impact by projectiles of different strength

In this paper, the ballistic performance of monolithic, double- and three-layered steel plates impacted by projectiles of different strength is experimentally investigated by a gas gun. The ballistic limit velocity for each configuration target is obtained and compared based on the investigation of the effect of the number of layers and the strength of projectiles on the ballistic resistance. The results showed that monolithic plates had higher ballistic limit velocities than multi-layered plates for projectiles of low strength regardless their nose shape, and also the ballistic limit velocities of plates decreased with the increase of the number of layers. Moreover, monolithic plates showed greater ballistic limit velocities than multi-layered plates for ogival-nosed projectiles of high strength, and also the ballistic limit velocities of plates decreased with the increase of the number of layers. However, monolithic plates had lower ballistic limit velocities than multi-layered plates for blunt-nosed projectiles of high strength, and also the ballistic limit velocities of plates increased with the increase of the number of layers. The differences in the ballistic limit velocities between various impact conditions can be related to the transitions of perforation mechanisms and failure models of plates and projectiles.     

Bio-inspired armor protective material systems for ballistic shock mitigation

Severe transient ballistic shocks from projectile impacts, mine blasts, or overhead artillery attacks can incapacitate an occupant at low frequencies, or sensitive equipment at high frequencies, if they are not properly attenuated by armor protective systems. Unique challenges exist in developing armor protective systems for mitigating both low and high frequency ballistic shocks due to the lack of robust design methodology, the severe dynamic loading conditions, and the uncertainties in predicting ballistic shock responses.Nature offers engineers a blueprint of highly effective, efficient, and adaptive material designs to protect certain regions from external threats. This paper presents the modeling, analysis, design, optimization, fabrication, and experimental validation of bone-inspired armor protective material systems for reducing projectile penetrations and alleviating ballistic shocks at both low and high frequencies. The optimized bone-inspired armor protective material system has a soft–stiff–soft–stiff material distribution pattern based on bone-foramen and osteonal-bone material systems. Analysis and experimental results demonstrated that the bone-inspired armor protective material systems have excellent capabilities for drastic ballistic shock mitigation, weight savings, and significant reductions in penetration and load transmission under ballistic loading conditions.     

Q235钢单层板对平头刚性弹抗穿甲特性研究

采用撞击实验和理论模型对单层金属板的抗侵彻性能进行了研究,分析了靶体厚度对抗侵彻性能的影响。通过对比撞击实验和理论模型计算结果,验证了理论模型和参数的有效性。结果表明,采用合适的理论模型能够有效地预测靶板在弹体撞击下的弹道极限。此外,分析了靶体在弹体撞击下的塑性变形总耗能,包括靶板局部变形和整体变形的耗能,同时考虑了靶体材料的应变率效应。在平头弹撞击厚靶的工况中,引入了一个修正函数对靶体厚度进行修正。     

The influence of projectile hardness on ballistic performance

The ballistic performance of 17 penetrator materials, representing 5 distinct steel alloys treated to various hardnesses along with one tungsten alloy, has been investigated. Residual lengths and velocities, as well as the ballistic limit velocities, were determined experimentally for each of the alloy types for length-to-diameter (L/D) ratio 10 projectiles against finite-thick armor steel targets. The target thickness normalized by the projectile diameter (T/D) was 3.55. For some of the projectile types, a harder target, with the same thickness, was also used. It was found that the ballistic limit velocity decreases significantly when the projectile hardness exceeds that of the target. Numerical simulations are used to investigate some of the observed trends. It is shown that the residual projectile length is sensitive to projectile hardness; the numerical simulations reproduce this experimental observation. However, the observed trend in residual velocity as a function of projectile hardness is not reproduced in the numerical simulations unless a material model is invoked. It is assumed that the plastic work per unit volume is approximately a constant, that is, there is a trade off between strength and ductility. Using this model, the numerical simulations reproduce the experimentally observed trend.     

Ballistic Limit of Single and Layered Aluminium Plates

Abstract: This paper presents an experimental and finite‐element investigation of ballistic limit of thin single and layered aluminium target plates. Blunt‐, ogive‐ and hemispherical‐nosed steel projectiles of 19 mm diameter were impacted on single and layered aluminium target plates of thicknesses 0.5, 0.71, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5 and 3 mm with the help of a pressure gun to obtain the ballistic limit in each case. The ballistic limit of target plate was found to be considerably affected by the projectile nose shape. Thin monolithic target plates as well as layered in‐contact plates offered lowest ballistic resistance against the impact of ogive‐nosed projectiles. Thicker monolithic plates on the other hand, offered lowest resistance against the impact of blunt‐nosed projectiles. The ballistic resistance of the layered targets decreased with increase in the number of layers for constant overall target thickness. Axi‐symmetric numerical simulations were performed with ABAQUS/Explicit to compare the numerical predictions with experiments. 3D numerical simulations were also performed for single plate of 1.0 mm thickness and two layered plate of 0.5 mm thickness impacted by blunt‐, ogive‐ and hemispherical‐nosed projectiles. Good agreement was found between the numerical simulations and experiments. 3D numerical simulations accurately predicted the failure mode of target plates.     

Ballistic limit evaluation of advanced shielding using numerical simulations

The advanced shielding concept employed for the Columbus module of the International Space Station consists of an aluminum bumper and an intermediate shield of Nextel and Kevlar-epoxy. Until recently, the lack of adequate material models for the Nextel cloth and Kevlar-epoxy has precluded the practical usage of hydrocodes in evaluating the response of these shields to hypervelocity impact threats. Recently hydrocode material models for these materials have been proposed [1,2] and the further development and completion of this model development is reported in this paper. The resulting models, now implemented in AUTODYN-2D and AUTODYN-3D, enables the coupling of orthotropic constitutive behavior with a non-linear (shock) equation of state. The model has been compared with light gas gun tests for aluminum spheres on the advanced shield at impact velocities between 3.0 and 6.5km/s [3]. Reasonable correspondence has been obtained at these impact velocities and thus the models have been used to perform preliminary assessment of predicted ballistic limits at velocities from 7 to 11km/s. The predicted ballistic limits are compared with ballistic limit curves derived on the basis that damage is proportional to projectile momentum     

Performance of Whipple shields at impact velocities above 9 km/s

The results of 18 impact tests performed on Whipple shields were compared to the predicted ballistic limits of the shields in the region where the impact velocity of the threatening particle was high enough to produce melting and incipient vaporization of the particle. Ballistic limit equations developed at NASA Johnson Space Center were used to determine nominal failure thresholds for two configurations of all-aluminum Whipple shields. In the tests, 2017-T4 aluminum spheres with diameters ranging from 1.40 to 6.35 mm were used to impact the shields at impact velocities ranging from 6.94 to 9.89 km/s. Two different aluminum alloys were used for the rear walls of a simple Whipple shield. The results of 13 tests using these simple Whipple shields showed they offered better-than-predicted capability as impact velocity increased and that the strength of the rear wall material appeared to have a smaller-than-predicted effect on the shield performance. The results of five tests using three configurations of a scaled Space Station shield - a plain shield at 0 degrees, two shields with multilayer insulation in the space between the bumper and the rear wall (also at 0 degrees), and two tests with the plain shield at 45 degrees obliquity - showed that these shields met their predicted capabilities.     

基于犰狳外壳仿生的SiC-超高分子量聚乙烯柔性防护板的试验测试和有限元模拟

个体防护装甲的发展对提高单兵作战能力具有重要意义,基于仿生研究可以为设计高性能装甲提供新的思路。犰狳外壳由六边形鳞片紧密拼接而成,采用分层结构设计,具有很好的柔性和防护能力。本文借鉴犰狳外壳的几何排列模式,采用SiC陶瓷片模仿硬质壳层,超高分子量聚乙烯(UHMWPE)热压板模仿软质壳层,按1∶1厚度比例设计制备仿生复合鳞片,将仿生鳞片紧密排列后封装制成一种新型柔性复合防弹插板。为了验证该种防弹插板的防弹性能并研究其破坏特征,进行弹道极限V0试验测试,结合有限元模拟分析其抗7.62 mm手枪弹侵彻的能力。结果表明:该柔性防弹插板不仅满足防弹性能要求,且具备较好的柔性,可为今后新型防弹插板的设计和优化提供参考。      

层间混杂复合材料装甲板防弹性能及其防弹机制

为研究层间混杂复合材料装甲板的防弹性能及其防弹机制,采用钢芯弹侵彻层间混杂复合材料装甲板。以超高分子量聚乙烯（Ultra high molecular weight polyethylene,UHMWPE）纤维、对位芳香族聚酰胺纤维作增强纤维,水性聚氨酯（Waterborne Polyurethane,WPU）树脂和环氧树脂（Epoxy resin,EP）作基体,采用热压工艺制备单向（Unidirectional,UD）结构的层间混杂复合材料装甲板。研究混杂比例、防弹面和树脂基体对混杂复合材料装甲板防弹性能的影响以及弹击后混杂复合材料装甲板的破坏形貌,分析混杂复合材料装甲板的防弹机制,并对复合材料装甲板的破坏机制进行了分析。结果表明:混杂复合材料装甲板的防弹性能优于其任一单一纤维复合材料装甲板;WPU的防弹性能要优于环氧树脂;以UHMWPE纤维复合材料充当防弹面时,混杂复合材料装甲板具有更好的防弹性能;纤维拉伸变形和装甲板分层是纤维复合材料装甲板主要的吸能方式。      

Ballistic impact performance of an armor material consisting of alumina and dual phase steel layers

Utilization of a ceramic front layer provides an improvement in the ballistic efficiency of monolithic metallic materials. In the current paper, the ballistic behavior of laminated composite having alumina front and dual phase steel backing layers was studied using 7.62 mm armor piercing (AP) projectiles under normal impact. The variables used were martensite content of the backing layer and the areal density of the composite. Experimental results showed that utilization of a 6 mm thick alumina front layer which was bonded to dual phase steel enhanced the ballistic resistance of the dual phase steel remarkably.     

Whipple shield ballistic limit at impact velocities higher than 7 km/s

The Whipple bumper shield was the first system developed to protect space structures against Meteoroids and Orbital Debris (M/OD), and it is still extensively adopted. In particular, Whipple shields are used to protect several elements of the International Space Station, although the most exposed areas to the M/OD environment are shielded by innovative low weigh and high resistance systems.

Hydrocode simulations were used to predict the ballistic limit of a typical aluminium Whipple shield configuration for space applications in the impact velocity range not accessible by the available experimental techniques. The simulations were carried out using the AUTODYN-2D and the PAMSHOCK-3D codes, allowing to couple the gridless Smoothed Particles Hydrodynamics with the Lagrange grid-based techniques. The global damage of the structure after the impact was determined with particular attention to the back wall penetration, and the results obtained with the two hydrocodes were compared with those given by semi-empirical damage equations.

A few hypervelocity Light Gas Gun impact experiments, performed on the same shield configuration at velocities up to 7.2 km/s, were previously simulated in order to assess the capability and limitations of the two hydrocodes in reproducing the experimental results available in the lower velocity regime. The influence of material models on the numerical predictions is discussed.     

Critical response of shielded plates subjected to hypervelocity impact

A ballistic limit equation for hypervelocity impact on thin plates is derived analytically. This equation applies to cases of impulsive impact on a plate that is protected by a multi-shock shield, and is valid in the range of velocity above 6 km/s. Experimental tests were conducted at the NASA Johnson Space Center on square aluminum plates. Comparing the center deflections of these plates with the theoritical deflections of a rigid-plastic plate subjected to a blast load, one determines the dynamic yield strength of the plate material. The analysis is based on a theory for the expansion of the fragmented projectile and on a simple failure criterion. Curves are presented for the critical projectile radius verus the projectile velocity, and for the critical plate thickness versus the velocity. These curves are in good agreement with curves that have been generated empirically.     

TC4钛合金板厚度对其撞击失效特性影响研究

为了揭示TC4钛合金板抗撞击性能与失效模式随厚度的变化规律及机理,采用ABAQUS/Explicit有限元软件建立平头弹撞击不同厚度靶板的模型,对弹体撞击不同厚度靶板进行计算。通过对比数值仿真与撞击实验结果,验证仿真模型的有效性。研究结果表明,靶板的主要失效模式、耗能机制、弹道极限随其厚度增加会发生改变,靶板厚度存在对应的转折值。对于TC4钛合金薄板,当靶板厚度比较小时,靶板拉伸撕裂破坏占主导作用。但是,当靶板厚度比较大时,靶板主要失效模式是局部剪切破坏。当靶板厚度小于4 mm、大于8 mm时,弹道极限速度随靶板厚度的增加而增加;当厚度为4~8 mm时,弹道极速度变化不明显。     

Multi-hit ballistic damage characterisation of 304 stainless steel plates with finite elements

Multi-impact of projectiles on thin 304 stainless steel plates is investigated to assess the degradation of ballistic performance, and to characterise the inherent mechanisms. Assessment of ballistic degradation is by means of a double-impact of rigid spheres at the same site on a circular clamped plate. The limiting velocity of the second impact, will be altered by the velocity of the antecedent impact. Finite element analyses were used to elucidate experimental results and understand the underlying mechanisms that give rise to the performance degradation. The effect of strength and ductility on the single and multi-impact performance was also considered. The model captured the experimental results with excellent agreement. Moreover, the material parameters used within the model were exclusively obtained from published works with no fitting or calibration required. An attempt is made to quantify the elevation of the ballistic limit of thin plates by the dynamic mechanism of travelling hinges. Key conclusions: The multi-hit performance scales linearly with the single-hit performance; and strength is a significantly greater effector of increased ballistic limit than ductility, even at the expense of toughness.