Penetration of confined silicon carbide targets by tungsten long rods at impact velocities from 1.5 to 4.6 km/s

A series of 27 terminal ballistics experiments were performed to measure the penetration of long tungsten rods against confined silicon carbide targets. Impact velocities ranged from 1.5 to about 4.6 km/s. The experiments were performed in the reverse ballistic mode using a two-stage light-gas gun. Penetrator diameter, D, was 0.762 mm (0.030 in). The length to diameter ratio for the penetrator was L/D = 20 for nearly all the tests and never less than L/D = 15. Primary instrumentation for these experiments was four independently timed, 450 kV flash X-rays. These X-rays provided four views of the penetrator-target interaction during the penetration event from which the following data were determined: p = penetration depth as a function of time, L(r) = remaining length of penetrator as a function of time, as well as target hole geometry, spatial distribution of the eroded rod material, etc. From these data u = dp/dt = speed of penetration into the target, v(c) = d(L - L(r))/dt = speed of ''consumption'' of the long rod, were obtained, as well as final penetration depth. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd.