Highly oblique impact and penetration of thin targets by steel spheres

Experiments were performed to measure the characteristics of the behind-tar get projectile fragments (residual projectile fragments) resulting from hig hly oblique impacts of steel spheres against thin laminated targets. Impact velocity was nominally 4.57 km/s (15,000 ft/s). Impact obliquity ranged fr om theta = 60 degrees to theta = 80 degrees. Projectile mass was 222 g. The thickness of the two targets used corresponded to a ratio of target thickn ess, t, for normal impact to projectile diameter, d, of t/d = 0.6 and t/d = 0.3. The velocity of the residual projectile fragments was measured using multiple flash x-rays. The residual projectile fragments were soft captured and their total mass, as well as information on particle size distribution , was determined. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.