XCT DIAGNOSTIC EVALUATION OF BALLISTIC IMPACT DAMAGE IN CONFINED CERAMIC TARGETS

摘要

Extensive physical damage occurs upon high velocity impact in terminal ballistic ceramic targets. The characterization of this impact damage is essential to aid in the understanding of both the damage and penetration processes and of potential mechanisms for mitigating their severity. In previous studies, Shockey et al. made insightful observations of ballistic impact effects primarily based upon fractography and destructive metallographic techniques to deduce the penetration mechanism(s) for a long rod penetrator into steel encased alumina (Al_2O_3), boron carbide (B_4C), and titanium diboride (TiB_2) cylindrical ceramic targets. Recently, the authors initiated a follow up look at some of the original ceramic targets with non-invasive x-ray computed tomography, XCT, impact damage diagnostic evaluation techniques developed subsequent to the original Shockey et al. study. Meso-scale impact damage manifestations in these ceramic target samples include irregularly shaped discontinuous embedded projectile fragments, inhomogeneous impact-induced porosity, and extensive surface and interior cracking. Initial qualitative and quantitative results are reported and discussed along with segmented 3D virtual images to further assist in the cognitive visualization of the damaged conditions.