Multi-hit armour characterisation of metal-composite bi-layers

The ballistic performance of equi-mass plates made from (i) stainless steel (SS); (ii) carbon fibre/epoxy (CF) laminate and (iii) a hybrid plate of both materials has been characterised for a spherical steel projectile. The hybrid plate was orientated with steel on the impact face (SSCF) and on the distal face (CFSS). The penetration velocity ( $V_{50}$ ) was highest for the SS plate and lowest for the CF plate. A series of double impact tests were performed, with an initial velocity $V_{I}$ and a subsequent velocity $V_{I I}$ at the same impact site. An interaction diagram in $(V_{I}, V_{I I})$ space was constructed to delineate penetration from survival under both impacts. The degree of interaction between the two impact events was greater for the CFSS plate than for the SSCF plate, implying that the distal face has the major effect upon the degree of interaction.

Keywords

composite, damage, ballistic loading, multi-impact, bi-layers

Milestones

Received: 7 August 2012

Accepted: 4 October 2012

Published: 4 January 2013

Authors

Kandan Karthikeyan
Department of Engineering Cambridge University Cambridge CB2 1PZ United Kingdom

Benjamin P. Russell
Department of Engineering Cambridge University Cambridge CB2 1PZ United Kingdom

Vikram S. Deshpande
Department of Engineering Cambridge University Cambridge CB2 1PZ United Kingdom

Norman A. Fleck
Department of Engineering Cambridge University Cambridge CB2 1PZ United Kingdom

Vol. 7, No. 7, 2012

Kandan Karthikeyan, Benjamin P. Russell, Vikram S. Deshpande and Norman A. Fleck

Abstract

Keywords

Milestones

Authors