Penetration performance of nonideal segmented rods

Five small scale reverse ballistic tests were performed to examine the effects of a thin-walled surrounding tube and/or lexan spacers between segments on the penetration mechanics and performance of tantalum segmented rods against steel targets. Impact velocity was 4.5–5 km/s. The data, although few, suggest that such structures as surrounding tubes and segment spacers do not necessarily degrade the penetration performance of segmented rods.     

High velocity impact response of Kevlar-29/epoxy and 6061-T6 aluminum laminated panels

The high velocity impact response of composite laminated plates has been experimentally investigated using a nitrogen gas gun. Tests were undertaken on sandwich structures based on Kevlar-29 fiber/epoxy resin with different stacking sequence of 6061-T6 Al plates. Impact testing was conducted using cylindrical shape of 7.62 mm diameter steel projectile at a range of velocities (180–400 m/s) were investigated to achieve complete perforation of the target. The numerical parametric study of ballistic impact caused by same conditions in experimental work is undertaken to predict the ballistic limit velocity, energy absorbed by the target and comparison between simulation by using ANSYS Autodyn 3D v.12 software and experimental work and study the effects of shape of the projectile with different (4, 8 and 12 mm) thicknesses on ballistic limit velocity. The sequence of Al plate position (front, middle and back) inside laminate plates of composite specimen was also studied. The Al back stacking sequence plate for overall results obtained was the optimum structure to resist the impact loading.The results obtained hereby are in good agreement with the experimental (maximum error of 3.64%) data where it has been shown that these novel sandwich structures exhibit excellent energy absorbing characteristics under high velocity impact loading conditions. Hence it is considered suitable for applications of armor system.     

Effect of alignment on the penetration of segmented rods

The purpose of this investigation is to study the effect of alignment on the performance of segmented penetrators. The Eulerian wave propagation code CTH is used for this purpose. A series of calculations using four L/D = 1 tungsten alloy segment trains at varying degrees of misalignment is performed, impacting a single finite-thickness oblique armor steel plate. Obliquity angles of 30° and 60° were considered. This study was performed primarily to investigate the effects of obliquity and is a continuation of a previous study [1] where semi-infinite armor steel plates were examined. It is shown that the obliquity of the plate can have a significant influence on the performance of the segment train. When misalignment is minimal, the performance of the segment train is not adversely affected, particularly if the misalignment positions the train in an orientation aligned with the plate normal. However, for large misalignments, degradation to the performance of the segment train is significant at all orientations.     

High velocity penetration of homogeneous, segmented and telescopic projectiles into alumina targets

Segmented and telescopic projectiles are designed to make efficient use of the higher impact velocities achievable with new acceleration techniques. This concept has been found to work against steel armour. In this study, we compare the penetration capability into an alumina target for these unconventional projectiles with that of a homogeneous projectile. The influence of segment separation distance and core-to-tube diameter ratio were simulated for the impact velocities 2.5, 3.0 and 3.5 km/s. The simulated final penetrations are compared to test results for one type of each of the homogeneous, segmented and telescopic projectiles at 2.5 and 3.0 km/s. Both simulations and tests show that the unconventional projectiles have better penetration capability than a homogeneous projectile with the same initial geometry.     

High velocity impact on NCF reinforced composites

In the current paper, a series of high velocity impact tests using ?50 and ?25 mm ice spheres and 0.32 g granite stones on non-crimp fabric (NCF) composite plates are reported. The impact tests were performed using an air gun and velocities between 100 m/s and 199 m/s. The impact events were monitored using a high-speed camera, with a 20 million frames per second capacity, as well as by a displacement transducer for out-of-plane displacement measurements of the impacted plates. NCF composite plates of two different thicknesses were impacted. The composites were manufactured from carbon fibre and epoxy resin by vacuum infusion.     

Penetration mechanics and performance of segmented rods against metal targets

Terminal ballistic experiments confirm theoretical predictions that a segmented rod will penetrate a semi-infinite metal target deeper than a continuous rod of the same material and having equal mass, diameter and velocity. For copper segmented rods impacting aluminum targets and tantalum segmented rods impacting 4340 (BHN 300) steel, penetration depths of at least 50 percent greater than that for a corresponding continuous rod are measured at impact velocities of 4 to 5 km/s. Spacing between segments of only about 2.5 segment diameters or more are required to achieve these results. Reducing the Li/D of the segments to less than 1 improves the penetration efficiency of a segmented rod. For segmented rods with segment L_i/D < 1, experiments suggest that penetration may increase with impact velocity rate greater than V^2/3.     

Numerical simulation of segmented penetrator impact

The performance of segmented and continuous penetrators impacting semi-infinite and spaced armor is studied using both the EPIC-2 and HULL hydrocodes. First the performance of a segmented rod is studied, striking semi-infinite armor, for various parameters such as striking velocity, segment spacing and number of segments. Then an actual penetrator configuration proposed by A. Charters is analyzed and the use of normalized penetration is discussed. Finally three-dimensional simulations are presented for segmented and continuous penetrators impacting oblique spaced armor varying such parameters as striking velocity, segment spacing, number of segments, and target thickness.     

钢板夹钢管组合板抗低速冲击性能的优化研究

试验共设计了三块钢板夹钢管组合板,分别为净距90 mm的三钢管组合板(G3)、净距30 mm的四钢管组合板(G4)与净距0 mm的五钢管组合板(G5);研究了组合板在落锤冲击作用下的抗冲击性能及破坏情况。利用有限元软件对试验组合板及不同厚度钢板、钢管的组合板进行模拟,分析钢管(钢板)位置、钢板厚度、钢管壁厚对组合板抗冲击性能的影响。提出单位增加质量贡献比γ来衡量组合板抗冲击性能优化的程度。结果表明:钢管分布连续的组合板抗冲击性能最好;在组合板变形不太大的情况下,钢板在抗冲击过程中起主要吸能作用;只增加中钢管壁厚能更快地提高组合板抗冲击性能,但材料利用率降低;只增加上钢板厚度能提高组合板边钢管抗冲击过程的参与度,增强组合板的整体性,并提高材料利用率。     

The effect of tube end constraining on the axial crushing behavior of an aluminum tube

The effect of various types of end constraining on the deformation and load–displacement behavior of a 3003-H14 Al tube were experimentally and numerically studied. No effect of single-end constraining of tubes was found. Few conditions of double-end constraining tended to revert the deformation mode to mixed and/or diamond mode of deformation. Double-end constraining of tube ends further resulted in an increase in initial drop-load values, widening the initial overshot region in average load–displacement curves. The agreement between numerical and experimental results showed the capabilities of the used numerical model in order to predict end-condition effects in tubular structures.     

Monolithic and segmented projectile penetration experiments in the 2 to 4 kilometers per second impact velocity regime

A series of experiments was performed to evaluate the performance of projectiles impacting targets at velocities two to three times larger than conventional ordnance velocities. The results were positive, where low L/D ratio projectiles exceeded the theoretical hydrodynamic limit of penetration for the given projectile-target combination. High L/D ratio projectiles did not appreciably exceed the limit.

A second set of experiments was devised to test the hypothesis that a segmented projectile, - consisting of a series of low L/D projectiles, assembled in a long rod configuration, - could penetrate deeper into the target than a monolithic projectile of equivalent mass. The results were again positive, with a gain of about 10% shown in some cases. The balance of the experiments was devoted to developing a set of design rules and to exploring variations in the configuration and materials.     

Hydrocode results for the penetration of continuous, segmented and hybrid rods compared with ballistic experiments

Hydrocode calculations of the penetration of various tungsten alloy and stainless steel rod penetrators into semi-infinite steel and aluminum targets are presented and compared with results from ballistic experiments. Good agreement with experimental results is seen for penetration depth, penetration with time, and crater size and profile. The rod penetrator configurations investigated in the calculations include: idealized segmented rods with various segment spacings, the corresponding hybrid rods with axial spacers, and continuous rods of various dimensions. The Eulerian hydrocode results show enhanced penetration performance for idealized segmented rods compared with the parent continuous rods. Penetration performance for the corresponding hybrid segmented rods is significantly greater, even after accounting for the added mass of axial spacers. Results for long rod penetrators of the same mass and length as the hybrid rods, provide evidence that the axial spacers contribute to penetration. Both calculations and experiment show significant differences between the crater profiles of continuous versus ideal segmented or hybrid rods. The profiles generated by continuous rods are smooth, while those by segmented and hybrid rods are scalloped. Hydrocode results show that the scalloped crater profiles arise from successive impacts of rod segments.     

Reverse impact experiments against tungsten rods and results for aluminum penetration between 1.5 and 4.2 km/s

Reverse impact experiments against 0.76 mm diameter L/D = 20 tungsten rods have been conducted with a 38 mm diameter launch tube, two-stage light-gas gun using four 450 kV flash X-rays to measure penetration rates. Techniques for projectile construction, sample placement, alignment, and radiography are described. Data for penetration rate, consumption velocity, and total penetration were obtained for 28 mm diameter 6061-T651 aluminum cylinders at impact velocities between 1.5 and 4.2 km/s. It was found that penetration velocity was a linear function of impact velocity over this velocity range. Above 2 km/s impact velocity, penetration was completely hydrodynamic. There was substantial secondary penetration, and the total penetration increased linearly with impact velocity over the range 1.5 to 2.5 km/s.     

Perforation of aluminum plates with ogive-nose steel rods at normal and oblique impacts

Perforation experiments were conducted with 26.3 mm thick, 6061-T651 aluminum plates and 12.9 mm diameter, 88.9 mm long, 4340 R_c = 44 ogive-nose steel rods. For normal and oblique impacts with striking velocities between 280 and 860 m/s, we measured residual velocities and displayed the perforation process with X-ray photographs. These photographs clearly showed the time-resolved projectile kinematics and permanent deformations. In addition, we developed perforation equations that accurately predict the ballistic limit and residual velocities.     

High velocity impact characteristics of MWNT added CFRP at LEO space environment

In this paper, multi-wall carbon nanotube (MWNT) added carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFRP) composites are suggested as solutions to improve the impact energy absorbing capability of CFRP for spacecraft application because it was proven that the resistance against LEO environment and the quasi-static material properties of CFRP can be improved by adding MWNT in previous papers. To verify the effect of MWNT on the impact energy absorbing capability of composite materials, normal CFRP and MWNT-reinforced CFRP were prepared and tested by using a two-stage light gas gun that can accelerate an aluminum ball of a diameter of 5.56 mm to 1 km/s. And the applicability of MWNT against hypervelocity impact of space debris was studied. In addition, accelerated ground simulation experiments were performed for each material model to simulate the aging of composite materials to verify the effect of LEO environmental aging on impact absorbing capability of composites. For the aging experiment, the impact specimens were simultaneously exposed to high vacuum, atomic oxygen, ultra violet light, and thermal cycling. After being exposed to simulated LEO environment, high velocity impact tests were performed for each material. As a result, MWNT did not have a significant improvement on the impact energy absorbing capability of CFRP under high velocity impact, even though the quasi static material properties are improved by adding MWNT. This is caused by the early generation of fiber breakages on the impact surface before enough generation of progressive failure which is one of the impact energy absorbing mechanism. Similarly, MWNT has less effect on the impact energy absorbing capability of CFRP under LEO environment.     

Tumbling of hypervelocity rods induced by impact with oblique plate targets

We investigated the cause of tumbling by hypervelocity rods after impact with oblique plate targets. The projectiles were strong rods, length to diameter ratio of 6 to 10, prepared from aluminum (10 tests) or steel (5 tests), launched at velocities of 4.2 to 4.8 km/s, and impacted into like material targets. The rods had little or no initial yaw (the average yaw was 1.8°). The residual projectile properties of length, tumbling rate and radial velocity were measured and evaluated in a simple model for rod tumbling. The model is based on the observation that plastic shear continues at the nose of the rod for a finite time after target perforation. Based on the observed tumbling rate, duration of plastic flow and the inertia of the residual rod an implicit determination of the shear strength of the rod was obtained. The calculated shear strength was in fair agreement with static shear values.     

Influence of surface coating on ballistic performance of aluminum plates subjected to high velocity impact loads

Ballistic response of single or multi-layered metal armor systems subjected to high velocity impact loads was investigated in many experimental, theoretical and numerical studies. In this study, influences of plasma spray surface coating on high velocity impact resistance of AA 6061 T651 aluminum plates were analyzed experimentally. Two different types of surface coating were applied to plates using plasma spray. Using 9.00 mm Parabellum bullets, ballistic performance of both uncoated and coated plates was tested. After the impact tests, penetration depth including plate bending on the front face and bulging on the rear face of the target plate was measured. The improvement on the ballistic resistance of the coated plates was clearly observed. The increase in non-perforating projectile velocity and the decrease in penetration depth were both experienced.     

Analysis of debris clouds produced by impact of aluminum spheres with aluminum sheets

Results of two-stage light gas gun testing of two diameters of aluminum spheres impacting 0.5 mm and 1.0 mm thickness aluminum plates were described in this paper. Impact velocities for these tests were between 3.16 km/s and 5.17 km/s. The components of debris cloud and damage patterns in the witness plate were described. The morphologic features of debris clouds such as shape, axial velocity, and diametral velocity were discussed. The size and number of fragments in the internal structure of debris cloud were not evaluated quantitatively, but described qualitatively. As a result, the shape of the leading face of the internal structure of debris cloud appeared to be sensitive to impact velocity, but not t/D ratio (bumper-thickness-to-projectile diameter ratio). The point at which the maximum diameter of the external bubble of debris cloud occurred had a same half spray angle of 30 degree and the last fragments ejected from bumper had a same half spray angle of 42 degree for each test. Fragments after the point mentioned above in the external bubble of debris cloud were ejected as several chains, the number of which is sensitive to impact velocity, but not t/D ratio. The changes in normalized velocity of the measurement points at debris cloud appeared the same trend as conclusions presented by Piekutowski except for the normalized internal structure expanding velocity. A certain value of t/D ratio, at two sides of which, the normalized internal structure expanding velocity appeared different variety trend existed.