Perforation of AA-2024 Aluminium Targets Subjected to Impact by Spherical Aluminium Projectiles

All spacecraft and protective structures are prone to impacts by projectiles of various shapes and sizes. The perforation process of 5 mm thin AA 2024-T4 sheets subjected to different spherical projectiles of AA 2014-T652 with 6 mm and 8 mm diameters was studied experimentally and numerically. The influence of impact conditions such as impact velocity and size of spherical projectiles on the failure evolution was observed. The projectiles are impacted at high velocities ranging from 1400 to 1850 m/s using a 40 mm calibre propellant smooth-bore gun. High-speed videography was deployed to capture the projectile-target interaction and measure impact and residual velocities. A 2D axisymmetric FE model was used to determine the ballistic limit and study the damage evolution. The Johnson–Cook plasticity and failure model was used to model target and projectile materials’ high strain rate behaviour. The damage profile of AA 2024-T4 sheets and residual velocities of the projectile are in good correlation with the experimental results.