Impact loading of plates — An experimental investigation

The impact of projectiles at sub-ordnance velocities against mild steel, stainless steel and aluminium plates, has been studied in a series of experiments. The projectile mass, nose shape and hardness have been shown to have an important effect on penetration as does the target rigidity and support condition. All materials exhibit a clear ‘kink’ effect related to a change from energy absorption by plastic deformation to perforation with well-defined shear bands and no appreciable bulging.