An Introduction to the Properties of Silica Glass in Ballistic Applications

Abstract

The purpose of this review is to introduce the interested reader to the literature on the use of silica glasses in ballistic applications. These applications include optically transparent windows (where their amorphous nature, appropriate band gap, and cheapness make them ideal window materials) as well as layers in opaque armours designed to be resistant to shaped charges. In the latter application, their increase in volume (bulking) on fracture disrupts the shaped charge jet. Other topics covered in this review include low‐velocity damage by windborne debris, liquid and solid impact, dynamic methods of testing (Hopkinson pressure bar, Taylor impact, and plate impact shock loading), and constitutive models. The use of glass as a shaped charge is also discussed.

Observation of Crack Propagation in Glass Using X‐ray Phase Contrast Imaging

“…Walley provides a comprehensive review of various experiments performed to assess failure of glasses under dynamic loading. Failure front behavior (such as velocity and geometry of the failure front) has been observed to depend on the type of glass, experimental geometries such as projectile nose geometry, impact speed, and the stress state behind the projectile …”

“…For understanding the penetration phenomena in glass, various studies have performed different experiments such as thin rod impact experiments and sphere impact experiments . In thin rod impact experiments on thin plates, glass in front of the projectile was observed to fracture.…”

“…The comminuted glass was observed to move together. Large deformation was observed on the back face of the target . Behner et al .…”

“…4 Researchers have used plate impact [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10] and Taylor rod impact [11][12][13][14][15][16][17] experiments to investigate the properties of failure fronts in various types of glasses. Walley 18 provides a comprehensive review of various experiments performed to assess failure of glasses under dynamic loading. Failure front behavior (such as velocity and geometry of the failure front) has been observed to depend on the type of glass, experimental geometries such as projectile nose geometry, 17,18 impact speed, 17 and the stress state behind the projectile.…”

Experimental and computed results investigating time-dependent failure in a borosilicate glass

“…Shock waves in glass have been the subject of intense research since the 1950s [1]. The shock waves are usually introduced in the glass specimens via explosive or plate-impact techniques.…”