ON THE CORRELATION BETWEEN THE BALLISTIC BEHAVIOR AND DYNAMIC PROPERTIES OF TITANIUM-ALLOY PLATES

A series of terminal ballistic tests with 7.62 mm APM2 projectiles was performed in order to correlate the resistance to penetration of diff erently-treated Ti6Al4V plates with their dynamic properties. These pr operties were determined with a Split Hopkinson Bar (SHE) which result ed in the well known features of adiabatic shear for this alloy. The b allistic efficiency of the target plates correlate well with the area under the dynamic stress-strain curve (energy) up to the point of inst ability which marks the onset of adiabatic shear. We also discuss othe r features of the interaction between the AP rounds and plates, in par ticular the transition from plug formation to the ductile-hole mode of penetration and the role of copper sleeve surrounding the hard steel core (of the projectile) on the penetration process. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.