Correlating impact related residual microstructures through 2D computer simulations and microindentation hardness mapping: review

Abstract

Impact and penetration studies for a wide variety of projectile/penetrator compositions and geometries along with target compositions have demonstrated reasonable if not revealing correlations between two-dimensional (2D) computer simulations of these events and corresponding microindentation measurements and maps. Residual target microstructures have also been related to residual microindentation hardness measurements along the impact axis (in the target) as well as maps corresponding to impact crater or target penetration geometries. The impacts of soda lime glass, aluminium, steel and tungsten carbide projectiles impacting aluminium, steel and copper targets at velocities ranging from 0·6 to 6 km s⁻¹ are examined using optical metallography and transmission electron microscopy, microindentation hardness measurements and mapping and 2D computer simulation (Autodyn/Johnson–Cook constitutive relationship). These studies permit computer simulation validation allowing for extrapolations from the recovered target regime. Dynamic recrystallisation is observed to characterise all cratering and penetration events, facilitating crater/target penetration (channel) excavation as well as projectile erosion.

Keywords:

• Ballistic impact and penetration
• Microindentation hardness mapping
• 2D computer simulation
• Dynamic recrystallisation
• Microstructures
• Review

Acknowledgements

The author is grateful to many students and colleagues for their collaborations over the past decade or more and for their permission to use their work in some cases. These collaborations and associated contributions are implicit in the references.