Design study of fiber-composite penetrator cases
A design study was conducted to demonstrate the viability of carbon-fiber reinforced epoxy composites as structural case materials for penetrating warheads. The objective was to conduct well-instrumented experimental studies of composite-body penetrators perforating mild steel plates and quantitatively model these plate penetrations using two- and three-dimensional finite element codes over a wide range of velocities and impact conditions in order to develop predictive capability for composite design and for use in tradeoff studies with existing case materials. Understanding of the failure of composite-body penetrators would be demonstrated by a rational design iteration which significantly improved performance. Initial studies utilized existing 1-degree tapered cylindrical carbon fiber/epoxy composite cases fabricated by wet-filament winding. These sharp-tipped, steel-nose, composite penetrators were strain-gaged, piggy-backed with 57 kilograms, and impacted into steel plates in a velocity-boosted droptower at impact velocities ranging from 3 to 18 meters per second. Load, time, and position data were recorded during the impact event as well as the axial and hoop strains in the composite case. Monolithic 4340 hardened steel penetrators with both sharp- and flat-tip 3-caliber ogive noses were also impacted into mild steel plates. Data from the composite-case and steel penetrators were used to calibrate a multiaxial, rate-dependent, flow and failure model for the mild steel plates in NIKE2D. The authors were then able to successfully predict survival and failure of the composite-case penetrators in normal-incidence droptower tests for different target thickness and velocity combinations.
- Research Organization:
- Lawrence Livermore National Lab., CA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE, Washington, DC (United States); Department of Defense, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-48
- OSTI ID:
- 10107331
- Report Number(s):
- UCRL-JC-114833; CONF-931121-33; ON: DE94003203; TRN: 93:004779
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: Annual winter meeting of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers,New Orleans, LA (United States),28 Nov - 3 Dec 1993; Other Information: PBD: 22 Oct 1993
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
COMPOSITE MATERIALS
IMPACT STRENGTH
PENETRATORS
COMPUTERIZED SIMULATION
IMPACT SHOCK
FINITE ELEMENT METHOD
REINFORCED MATERIALS
CARBON FIBERS
WEAPONS
COVERINGS
450000
360603
MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEFENSE
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES