Penetration of Armored Piercing Projectile into Ultra-High Strength Steel Targets: Numerical and Experimental Investigation

In this article, penetration of an armored piercing projectile into ultra-high strength steel plates (Hardox450 and Hardox500) will be investigated by finite element (FE) analysis and experimental measurement. The ballistic impact is simulated by Abaqus FE software and the FE model is verified the results of experimental test. The mechanical behavior of the selected material is defined by Johnson-Cook plasticity model and Mie-Grunisen equation for damage model. The experimental tests are carried out on 30mm thickness plate. A 14.5mm armored piercing projectile is fired to the plate. The finite element results revealed that the projectile penetrates partially in Hardox500 steel while it can perforates Hardox450 steel. The penetration depth of the projectile when collisioning by 911m/s speed and at perpendicular state are 13 and 30mm for Hardox500 and hardox450 steel respectively. The penetration depth will be increased by increase in the impact angle from 30o to 90o. In addition, the reflection state changes at a specific angle according to the type of material. The transition angle are 40o and 60o for Hardox450 and Hardox500 steel respectively. Finally, the ballistic limit is calculated and determined as 900m/s and 1200m/s for Hardox450 and Hardox500 steel respectively.