Study on the penetration performance of concept projectile for high-speed penetration (CPHP)

• Tests indicate good structural stability and penetration performance of CPHP.
• Strength and ductility jointly control penetration performance of CPHP.
• White narrow band is a new mass loss mechanism for CPHP.
• Heat generated by friction between target and projectile is main cause of HAZ.
• Analytical model for ultimate DOP of CPHP was derived.

Two-group penetration tests of Concept Projectile for High-speed Penetration (CPHP) are carried out with striking velocity ranging from 1130 m/s to 1650 m/s. Almost all projectiles are integral after penetration except the one at striking velocity 1650 m/s. The maximum dimensionless Depth of Penetration (DOP) reaches 78.9 at striking velocity 1415 m/s with the concrete strength as 33.4 MPa. It further confirms that CPHP has excellent structural stability and penetration performance into concrete target at high striking velocities. The penetration performances of CPHP made of different materials are also compared. It indicates that the strength and ductility of material jointly control the penetration performance of CPHP. The mass loss of CPHP distributes not only in its nose but also in its shank. The CPHP nose still keeps ogival and the surface of CPHP shank recedes inward. Furthermore, the mass loss mechanism is studied by metallographic observation. It indicates that the heat transformed from frictional work between target and projectile is the main cause of Heat Affected Zone (HAZ), and the peeling of molten surface layer is the main cause of mass loss. Several White Narrow Bands (WNBs) in CPHP nose tip contribute minor mass loss due to its rare number and limited dimensions. Finally, the analytical model for DOP of CPHP was derived. The model prediction is validated by the available experimental result.