On the perforation of aluminum plates by 7.62 mm APM2 projectiles

• A numerically-based model accounting for ballistic limit velocities for aluminum plates.
• A model for predicting the effect of jacket on the ballistic limit velocity.
• Studying the effect of layering and obliquity on the ballistic limit and residual velocities.

The paper is concerned with the perforation process of aluminum plates by 7.62 mm APM2 projectiles. In particular, we compare experimental values of the ballistic limit velocities for various aluminum alloys with predictions from our numerically-based model, which has been published a few years ago. The data include different thicknesses of aluminum plates of several alloys, ranging in their dynamic compressive strengths between 0.2 and 0.65 GPa We introduce an empirical correction factor to account for the effect of the brass jacket around the hard steel cores of these projectiles. We also discuss the issues of layered targets and inclined impacts, which may complicate the analysis. The good agreements between our predictions and the data for the ballistic limit velocities enhance the validity of the model, and suggest that it could also apply for other armor piercing projectiles, as well as for other metallic plates.