Analysis of Projectile Penetration Into a SiC/Ti Layered Plate

This report describes the capabilities of the Rajendran-Grove ceramic model in predicting the depth of penetration in several layered ceramic targets. There are nine constants in the model. Five constants are adequate to describe the effects of microcracking on strength and stiffness. The variation of strength of the pulverized ceramic with respect to pressure is described through two constants. The plastic strain description involves two parameters that can be determined from a maximum stress vs. strain rate plot. A methodology to estimate these model constants is outlined in this report. Experimental data from high velocity plate impact tests and a penetration test were employed in the calibration of the model constants for silicon carbide. Using this set of constants, the penetration of a solid tungsten rod into a layered ceramic target was analyzed. The target configuration consisted of a silicon carbide frontplate glued to a titanium backplate. The analysis showed that the simulated penetration resistance of the layered configuration was significantly influenced by the form of the ceramic model's pulverized strength equation. In addition, maintaining constant areal density, we examined the effects of different substrate materials (titanium, steel, and aluminum) on the calculated depths of penetration.