填充空心球/铝基复合材料结构的超高速撞击损伤特性研究

针对人类航天活动在空间中积累的大量空间碎片严重威胁在轨运行航天器安全,急需开发具有优良防护性能的新材料防护结构问题,初步研究填充空心球/铝基复合材料Whipple防护结构的撞击特性,获得相关撞击损伤数据,与填充实心铝板的Whipple防护结构进行对比,并评估空心球/铝基复合材料作为一种航天器防护材料的可行性。     

含能活性材料防护结构超高速撞击特性数值模拟研究

含能活性材料超高速撞击数值模拟研究对于新型空间碎片防护机理探索研究具有重要意义。采用AUTODYN动力学仿真程序,基于改进的Lee-Tarver点火增长模型,在验证计算模型有效性的基础上,开展球形弹丸超高速撞击含能活性材料防护结构数值模拟研究,对弹丸临界破碎速度、碎片云形貌特征及后墙损伤等进行分析。给出了铝合金弹丸超高速撞击PTFE/Al含能活性材料防护屏的临界破碎速度公式,得到弹丸直径、撞击速度和含能活性材料防护屏板厚对碎片云特征参数的影响规律,进一步揭示了含能活性材料防护结构超高速撞击条件下的新型防护机理。     

超高速撞击丝网防护屏弹丸形状效应数值模拟研究

采用数值仿真方法研究不同形状弹丸撞击连续型防护屏和丝网防护屏后形成的碎片云特性。研究表明：相同面密度的多层丝网防护屏防护效果优于连续型防护屏;对于连续型防护屏,锥体撞击部位对后板毁伤的影响大于锥体长径比对后板毁伤的影响,而对于丝网防护屏影响规律则相反;研究长固锥锥尖撞击2种防护屏后碎片云动量密度,撞击连续型防护屏后,弹丸碎片云动量密度分布具有对称性,较之丝网防护屏分布更为集中,且动量密度峰值大于撞击丝网防护屏后弹丸碎片云动量密度峰值。     

铝球弹丸高速撞击表面陶瓷化铝板防护结构实验研究

基于陶瓷化铝板设计了单层防护屏结构和双层防护屏结构,利用二级轻气炮对其进行高速撞击实验。用于模拟空间碎片的2017铝球弹丸直径分别为3.97 mm和6.35 mm,撞击速度为1.64~4.96 km/s。分析了铝板表面陶瓷层对防护结构高速撞击损伤及防护性能的影响。结果表明:防护屏表面的陶瓷层可使单层防护屏结构抵御更大速度范围的粒子撞击;以表面陶瓷化铝板为首层防护屏的铝网填充式防护结构有助于撞击粒子的首次破碎以及次生碎片的撞击动能吸收。     

椭球弹丸超高速撞击防护屏碎片云数值模拟

低地球轨道的各类航天器易受到微流星体及空间碎片的超高速撞击.本文采用AUTODYN软件进行了椭球弹丸超高速正撞击及斜撞击防护屏碎片云的数值模拟.给出了三维模拟的结果.研究了在相同质量的条件下,不同长径比椭球弹丸以不同速度和入射角撞击防护屏所产生碎片云的特性,并与球形弹丸撞击所应产生的碎片云特性进行了比较.结果表明:在相同的速度下,不同长径比椭球弹丸撞击的碎片云形状、质量分布和破碎程度是不同的,随撞击入射角的增加弹丸的破碎程度增大,滑弹碎片云的数量增加;随撞击速度的增加,弹丸的破碎程度也增加.     

板间距对铝板多冲击结构高速撞击防护性能影响的试验研究

为了研究板间距变化对铝板多冲击结构高速撞击损伤与防护特性的影响,采用二级轻气炮发射铝球弹丸对具有不同板间距的双层、三层、四层和五层铝板结构进行了高速撞击试验,弹丸直径分别为3.97 mm、5 mm和6.35 mm,撞击速度为1.72~4.88 km/s,撞击角度为0°。结果表明:在铝球弹丸的弹道段撞击速度区间,板间距变化对铝板多冲击结构的高速撞击防护性能无显著影响;在铝球弹丸的破碎段撞击速度区间,对于相同的总防护间距,具有不同板间距的铝板多冲击结构的高速撞击防护性能存在明显差异;基于该试验数据定义的三层、四层和五层铝板结构的板间距因子,可为具有高效抗高速撞击能力的铝板多冲击结构的板间距设计提供依据。     

基于动能耗散的双层铝板结构的高速撞击防护性能

通过铝球弹丸高速撞击单层铝板和双层铝板结构的动能耗散特性分析,在弹丸未破碎和已破碎两种撞击条件下,基于单层铝板撞击失效临界动能研究了双层铝板结构的高速撞击防护性能,并针对典型铝板防护结构的高速撞击防护性能评估结果进行了实验验证。结果表明,当铝球弹丸高速正撞击一定厚度的单层铝板时,铝板发生穿孔失效时的临界撞击动能近似为常数。当铝球弹丸高速正撞击双层铝板结构时弹丸击穿前板后的剩余动能,表现为弹丸初始撞击动能的比例耗散。在弹丸破碎段撞击速度区间,使双层铝板结构后板发生穿孔失效的弹丸直径越大,在弹丸击穿前板后的撞击后板有效动能中次生小碎片动能所占的比例越大。     

多孔脆性火山岩弹丸高速撞击航天器典型防护结构试验和仿真分析

采用多孔脆性火山岩弹丸,对航天器典型Whipple防护结构进行高速撞击试验和仿真计算,分析表明在低速撞击阶段,造成前板铝脱落,但后板并没有发生剥离现象,当撞击试验速度达到2.78km/s时,后板出现剥离现象,此速度可近似为Whipple防护结构遭到破坏的临界速度,试验与仿真结果基本吻合。     

不同环境温度下铝球高速撞击纤维布/铝板组合防护结构试验研究EI北大核心CSCD

利用二级轻气炮发射铝球弹丸,在不同环境温度下高速撞击经过高低温交变和电子辐照作用的纤维布/铝板组合防护结构,研究环境温度、高低温交变与电子辐照对防护结构高速撞击损伤与防护特性的影响。用于模拟空间碎片的铝球弹丸直径为3.97 mm,撞击速度为1.4~3.53 km/s,撞击角度为0°,环境温度分别为-100℃、20℃和200℃。结果表明,高温环境、高低温交变与电子辐照可导致纤维布/铝板组合防护结构的高速撞击防护性能下降;低温环境可使纤维布/铝板组合防护结构的高速撞击防护性能提高;高温环境和高低温交变对纤维布/铝板组合防护结构的高速撞击防护性能的影响更加显著。     

多层隔热材料对填充式结构高速撞击损伤影响的实验研究

在填充式结构中加入多层隔热材料(MLI),利用二级轻气炮发射铝球弹丸在真空环境下对其进行高速撞击实验,获得了MLI位于不同位置时的防护结构损伤模式,研究MLI对填充式结构高速撞击损伤与防护特性的影响。结果表明:当MLI位于首层薄铝板前侧时,薄铝板穿孔尺寸增大,首层薄铝板耗散弹丸撞击动能的能力增强,有助于填充式结构高速撞击防护性能提高;当MLI位于首层薄铝板后侧时,弹丸击穿薄铝板后次生碎片云团的膨胀扩散受到抑制,不利于填充式结构高速撞击防护性能提高;在相同撞击条件下,当MLI位于填充层前侧时,填充层中心穿孔尺寸增大,当MLI位于舱壁前侧时,舱壁弹坑分布范围减小。     

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.     

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.     

Ballistic resistance of double-layered armor plates

In this paper, the ballistic resistance of double-layered steel shields against projectile impact at the sub-ordnance velocity is evaluated using finite element simulations. Four types of projectiles of different weight and nose shapes are considered, while armor shields consist of two layers of different materials. In a previous study of the same authors, it was shown that a double-layered shield of the same metal was able to improve the ballistic limit by 7.0–25.0% under impact by a flat-nose projectile, compared to a monolithic plate of the same weight. Under impact by a conical-nose projectile, a double-layered shield is almost as capable as a monolithic plate. The present paper extends the analysis to double-layered shields with various metallic material combinations. The study reveals that the best configuration is the upper layer of high ductility and low strength material and the lower layer of low ductility and high strength material. This configuration results in some 25% gain in the ballistic limit under moderate detrimental impact. This research helps clarify the long standing issue of the ballistic resistance of the multi-layered armor configuration.     

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.     

Hypervelocity impact tests and simulations of single whipple bumper shield concepts at 10km/s

A series of experiments has been performed to evaluate the effectiveness of a Whipple bumper shield to orbital space debris at impact velocities of 10 km/s. Upon impact by a 19 mm (0.87 mm thick, L/D 0.5) flier plate, the thin aluminum bumper shield disintegrates into a debris cloud. The debris cloud front propagates axially at velocities of 14 km/s and expands radially at a velocity of 7 km/s. Subsequent loading by the debris on a 3.2 mm thick aluminum substructure placed 114 mm from the bumper penetrates the substructure completely. However, when the diameter of the flier plate is reduced to 12.7 mm, the substructure, although damaged is not perforated. Numerical simulations performed using the multi-dimensional hydrodynamics code CTH also predict complete perforation of the substructure by the subsequent debris cloud for the larger flier plate. The numerical simulation for a 12.7 mm flier plate, however, shows a strong dependence on assumed impact geometry, i. e., a spherical projectile impact geometry does not result in perforation of the substructure by the debris cloud, while the flat plate impact geometry results in perforation.     

Three dimensional hypervelocity impact simulation for orbital debris shield design

This paper assesses a Whipple shield impact simulation method which is both accurate and computationally efficient. The paper documents the simulation methodology and results of Whipple shield simulations at an oblique impact angle of 30°. These results are compared with HVI experiments to demonstrate the accuracy of the simulation technique. In addition, simulations of Whipple shields in the velocity regime above 8km/s were completed and the results compared to published ballistic limit equations to demonstrate the reliability of these equations. Finally, the paper documents computational efficiency of the simulation technique.     

Whipple shield performance in the shatter regime

A series of hypervelocity impact tests have been performed on aluminum alloy Whipple shields to investigate failure mechanisms and performance limits in the shatter regime. Test results demonstrated a more rapid increase in performance than predicted by the latest iteration of the JSC Whipple shield ballistic limit equation (BLE) following the onset of projectile fragmentation. This increase in performance was found to level out between 4.0 and 5.0 km/s, with a subsequent decrease in performance for velocities up to 5.6 km/s. For a detached spall failure criterion, the failure limit was found to continually decrease up to a velocity of 7.0 km/s, substantially varying from the BLE, while for perforation-based failure an increase in performance was observed. An existing phenomenological ballistic limit curve was found to provide a more accurate reproduction of shield behavior that the BLE, prompting an investigation of appropriate models to replace linear interpolation in shatter regime. A largest fragment relationship was shown to provide accurate predictions up to 4.3 km/s, which was extended to the incipient melt limit (5.6 km/s) based on an assumption of no additional fragmentation. Alternate models, including a shock enhancement approach and debris cloud cratering model are discussed as feasible alternatives to the proposed curve in the shatter regime, due to conflicting assumptions and difficulties in extrapolating the current approach to oblique impact. These alternate models require further investigation.     

Ballistic limit equation for equipment placed behind satellite structure walls

A new ballistic limit equation has been developed for the case of a Whipple shield configuration or a sandwich panel with honeycomb core placed in front of a backwall. This “triple plate” ballistic limit equation considers explicitly the thicknesses, materials and spacings of each of the three plates. The third plate, i.e., the backwall, represents the cover plate or external wall of the equipment that is placed behind the satellite structure wall. The ballistic limit equation has been calibrated with experimental results obtained from hypervelocity impact tests on satellite equipment that was placed behind typical satellite structure walls. The equipment considered were fuel and heat pipes, pressure vessels, electronic boxes, harness, and batteries, all representative of real satellite equipment. The new equation was applied to prove that if the inherent protection capability of satellite equipment against hypervelocity impacts is explicitly considered in a ballistic limit equation, the critical projectile diameters for failure of such equipment are raised considerably compared to the case where equipment is assumed to fail as soon as the structure wall that protects it is perforated.     

近地轨道航天器微流星及空间碎片风险度分析研究

以单防护屏防护结构为例,根据描述其防护性能的撞击极限方程,微流量及空间碎片环境数学模型,建立了航天器结构的有限元分析模型,进行了航天器在微流星及空间碎片环境下风险度的初步分析,其结论可供工程实践参考。     

Advanced all-metal orbital debris shield performance at 7 to 17 km/s

Increasing demands on orbital debris shielding systems have spurred efforts to develop shields that are more efficient than the standard single-bumper system. For example, for a given total bumper mass, experiments at velocities near 7 km/s have shown that a multiple-bumper system is more efficient than a single bumper in preventing wall perforation. However, the performance of multiple bumper systems at velocities above 7 km/s is unknown. To address this problem, the cadmium surrogate-material technique described by Schmidt et al. [1] has been extended to two dual bumper systems. A complete dimensional analysis is developed to include similarity requirements for the intermediate layers. Results of experiments, for impact angles of 0° and 45°, are presented and compared to those for single bumpers, along with limited results for an equal-mass four-bumper shield. Surprisingly, for scaled velocities near 16 km/s at normal incidence, a single bumper defeats impactors approximately 30% larger in diameter than multiple bumpers of the same total areal density.