Evaluation of Steel and Tungsten Carbide-Cobalt (WC-8Co) 5.56 × 45 mm Calibre Projectile Penetration into Silicon Carbide (SiC): Experiment and Numerical Simulation

Abstract

This study aims to evaluate WC-8Co as a substitution material in a standard steel core projectile commercially produced by PT Pindad (Persero). The enhanced performance of 5.56 × 45-millimeter ammunition after the addition of WC-8Co hard metal was evaluated in terms of penetration into a silicon carbide (SiC) target. Numerical simulations and analysis of the ballistic impact of WC-8Co on ceramic targets were verified by experimental data. The results show that front core substitution in SS109 bullets from steel (Pindad standard) to WC-8Co resulted in 1.5 times greater DoP. Although projectiles with steel (Pindad standard) as the front core have a muzzle velocity higher than those using WC-8Co, they have a lower kinetic energy than the latter. In addition, WC-8Co cemented carbides also displayed higher crater and residual velocity on SiC targets; around 1.8 and 1.3 times higher, respectively. These findings demonstrate the potential use of WC-8Co for development as front core material to improve the penetration of projectiles into ceramic armour.