Single crystal tungsten kinetic energy penetrators
We have explored the terminal ballistic performance of single crystal tungsten as a kinetic energy penetrator. Scientific speculation as to the anticipated penetration performance and nature of the interaction between such a kinetic energy penetrator and semi-infinite and spaced metallic targets has led us to perform laboratory scale experiments and metallographic examinations of post-impact penetrator materials. The single tungsten crystals were ground into kinetic energy penetrators with the {l_angle}111{r_angle} and {l_angle}100{r_angle} crystal direction being coincident with the axis of symmetry of the penetrators. The crystals were electro-polished to their final diameter. We, compared the terminal performance at current ordnance speeds of {l_angle}111{r_angle} single crystal tungsten to 90W-10 (NiFe) cemented tungsten and textured pure tungsten in laboratory scale ballistic experiments against a spaced steel (triple) target at sixty-five degrees obliquity. We also compared the terminal performance of {l_angle}100{r_angle} and {l_angle}111{r_angle} single crystal tungsten with 90W-10 and 98W02 (NiFe) cemented tungsten and textured pure tungsten in laboratory scale ballistic experiments against monolithic 4340 alloy steel (HRC = 36) at normal impact. We radiographed the penetrators during the interactions with the targets, we recovered portions of the penetrators after the ballistic experiments, and we conducted metallographic examinations of penetrator remnants. From the radiographic records and the metallographic examinations, we drew conclusions pertaining to insights into the terminal interactions of the penetrators with the targets and suggestions as to improved compositions of the cemented tungsten penetrators.
- Research Organization:
- Lawrence Livermore National Lab., CA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-48
- OSTI ID:
- 10153570
- Report Number(s):
- UCRL-JC-107113; CONF-920689-6; ON: DE93012570
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: Symposium on ballistics,Stockholm (Sweden),1-3 Jun 1992; Other Information: PBD: May 1992
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
EARTH PENETRATORS
TESTING
TUNGSTEN
HARDNESS
CRYSTALS
INDUSTRIAL RADIOGRAPHY
STEELS
TARGETS
KNOOP HARDNESS
ROCKWELL HARDNESS
PROJECTILES
CRYSTAL STRUCTURE
450000
360103
MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEFENSE
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES