An investigation of the experimental and numerical ballistic response of 12.7mm ap tracer projectile against Al2O3/Al 5083-H116 Bi-layer armour

Abstract

This study revolves around the ballistic response of Al2O3/Al 5083-H116 bi-layer armour against a 12.7 mm Armour Piercing (AP) tracer projectile. The study features the experimental and numerical study where the penetration of the AP projectile through a semi-infinite Al 5083-H116 target and Al2O3/Al 5083-H116 armour were determined. The semi-infinite Al 5083-H116 target consisted of three aluminium plates where the projectiles penetrated the first two plates. On the other hand, the bi-layer Al2O3/Al 5083-H116 armour arrested the armour piercing projectile after it penetrated the ceramic plate. A FEA model was also developed to investigate the impact phenomenon and predict the depth of penetration. High strain-rate deformation of ceramic material was modelled with Johnson Holmquist damage model for ceramics (JH-2), and that of the Al 5083-H116 was modelled with Johnson-Cook material model. During the impact simulation the progressive failure of the AP tracer projectile was observed. The predicted residual penetration depth and the hole size in the ceramic plate were lower than the experimentally observed values. The ballistic efficiency factor of the Al2O3/Al 5083-H116 bi-layer armour was higher than one showing that the bi-layer armour was better in terms of mass efficiency and space efficiency in comparison to Al 5083-H116 armour.