Some experimental studies on angle effect in penetration

This investigation describes and analyses the experimental results pertinent to the penetration of Al-7017 plates with non-deformable steel projectiles at a velocity of 840 +/- 15 m/s at different angles of impact. The results include the variation in damage pattern, damage area at front and back, mid penetration channel observations, residual velocity and energy absorption capacities at different obliquities. Some observations relating to the adiabatic shear bands formation have also been presented. The micro hardness values along the path of penetration have been studied in order to understand the increase in energy absorption at oblique impact. The experimental data shows a transition of failure mode from an adiabatic shear band induced shear plugging at lower obliquities to a more homogeneous deformation of the target material and gouging at higher obliquities. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.