Shaped Charge Jet Penetration of Alon® Ceramic Assessed by Proton Radiography and Computational Simulations

Abstract

This work describes the use of proton radiography and continuum simulations to investigate the mechanics of a copper jet penetrating unconfined ALON ® transparent ceramic. Use of proton radiography enabled characterization of the jet and ceramic material at 21 time steps, in situ, throughout the penetration process. These radiographs provide time-evolution data pertaining to the material densities, cavity growth, and material failure. The data were compared to legacy analytical penetration models and to a simulation of the event computed using a continuum multi-physics code. These comparisons revealed additional insights into the penetration mechanics as well as strengths and weaknesses of the computational algorithms and material models used in the simulations.

The Trinity High-Explosive Implosion System: The Foundation for Precision Explosive Applications

“…Extensive work has been performed by the DOD on development of shaped-charge jets and their interaction with targets, often employing DOE-NNSA modeling and simulation tools and experimental capabilities. Proton radiography (pRad) has been employed at Los Alamos to image shaped charge jet penetration into metal and ceramic armor materials, 51,52 as shown in Figure 12. Because of the hazard from combatant or accidental impact of shaped charge jets into military explosive munitions, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has established a policy for introduction and assessment of Insensitive Munitions in Standardization Agreement (STANAG) 4439 to promote the development of safer munitions and increase interoperability with the established STANAG 4526, "Shaped Charge Jet Munition Test Procedures".…”

The Trinity High Explosive Implosion System: The Foundation for Precision Explosive Applications

“…Extensive work has been performed by the DOD on development of shaped-charge jets and their interaction with targets, often employing DOE-NNSA modeling and simulation tools and experimental capabilities. Proton radiography (pRad) has been employed at Los Alamos to image shaped-charge jet penetration into metal and ceramic armor materials, 49,50 as shown in Figure 12. Because of the hazard of employing shaped-charge jets for military applications, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has established a policy for introduction and assessment of Insensitive Munitions in Standardization 51 Explosive lenses are also employed in conventional munitions to optimize the explosive transfer between booster and warhead.…”

Comparison of penetration performance and penetration mechanism of w-cu shaped charge liner against three kinds of target: Pure copper, carbon steel and Ti-6Al-4V alloy

“…In recent years, some researchers have also paid attention to the target effect on the penetration performance of shaped charge jet [18][19]. These work mainly discussed the effect of target structure on penetration performance of SCLs, but corresponding penetration mechanisms remains elusive.…”