Damage behaviour of Al matrix composite reinforced with Ti-6Al-4V meshes under the hypervelocity impact

► Addition of TC4 meshes to 5A06Al alloy was beneficial to improve the resistance to hypervelocity impact. ► Below the crater, adiabatic shear band occurred in TC4 fibres. ► Adiabatic shear band occurred in Al matrix at the bottom of crater and ultra-fined grains form in it. ► TiAl phase at the interface layer between TC4 fibre and Al matrix transformed to amorphous structure after impact. ► Deformed band and transformed band of TiAl3 phase at interface layer were found at interface after impact.