High Velocity Impact Testing for Evaluation of Intermetallic Projectiles

Experiments were performed to study penetration through multiple aluminum plates followed by impact into an inert steel anvil using a High-velocity Impact-ignition Testing System (HITS). The projectiles are intermetallic pellets launched from a propellant driven gun into a catch chamber equipped with view ports and imaging diagnostics. Penetration, impact and reaction are monitored using high-speed cameras that provide local and macroscopic perspectives of projectile and target interaction as well as overall reactivity. Results demonstrate the range of visual data that can be captured by a non-gas generating intermetallic projectile that fragments and reacts upon penetration and impact. Results show that higher velocity projectiles (~ 1300 and 800 m/s) produce smaller fragments upon target penetration that result in flame spreading through the chamber upon impact while lower velocity projectiles (~ 500 m/s) negligibly fragment upon target penetration and produce no flames even upon anvil impact.