More on penetration of ceramic based targets by non-deforming projectiles

Abstract

In this work, we examine the calculation of the mean resisting stress offered to a penetrating projectile by several ceramic targets that are intact or that have been predamaged through explosive loading. When comparing the results of intact and predamaged samples, it is shown that the mean resisting stress offered by alumina targets does not fall much, whereas for silicon carbide ceramics, there is a much larger dropoff in resistance. The mean resisting stress offered by predamaged ceramic, which is analogous to the strength of the damaged material, has been estimated for alumina and silicon carbide and was found to be ∼4·3 GPa.

Keywords:

• Ballistic testing
• Comminuted ceramic
• Ceramic armour
• Failure
• Fracture

The authors would like to thank Mr A. Roberts and Mr D. Miller for their help with the experiments.