MODELING PERFORMANCE OF PROTECTION MATERIALS ALUMINUM 7020-T651 AND RHA STEEL

摘要

Test-protection levels of 7020-T651, are compared to a modern Rolled Homogeneous Armor (RHA) and to RHA data with regression and statistics of RHA protection level mean response, confidence intervals, and cumulative probability distributions. Test-evaluations of aluminum 7020-T651 suggest it may serve as a low-cost substitute for rolled homogeneous armor steel (RHA), with improved levels of protection from armor-piercing projectiles and fragments. Alloy 7020-T651 fragment protection weight savings of 30% to 44% and armor piercing protection weight savings of 16% over RHA may be achieved, along with damage tolerance, minimal need for spall liners, and potential for equal or improved structural stiffness. Revision of specifications MIL-DTL-46063 for 7020, and MIL-DTL-12560 for RHA, in requirements/corrections of chemistry, microstructure, and failure modes, may improve standards of protection-level, and the system capabilities of fabricability or repair, reduction of weight and cost, scope of application, and extreme climate durability.