Comprehensive Visualization of Interface Defeat-Based Ballistic Impact Damage in a Titanium Carbide (TiC) Ceramic Target Disk

摘要

This study was initiated to demonstrate the feasibility of applying the state-of-the-art nondestructive testing methodology known as x-ray computed tomography (CT) to a ballistic damage assessment. Specifically desired is the capture, digitization, and display, in both two-dimensional (2-D) and three- dimensional (3-D) formats, of the actual mesocracking damage created in bulk ceramic targets following an interface defeat or dwell ballistic impact experiment. Dwell involves the delay, and interface defeat involves the prevention, of penetration by a long rod penetrator into the ceramic. In each mechanism, the penetrator material contacting the ceramic front face flows laterally. These mechanisms occur at or near the impacted front surface of a highly confined armor ceramic material and may result in considerable subsurface or interior damage. This study also reports on the development of a new capability to graphically represent the full assemblage of networked interior mesocracks by an isolated 3-D point cloud or wireform model which aids significantly in the visualization and understanding of the entire mesocracking damage network. Practical limits of image spatial resolution with this technique (approx. equal 400 micrometers for large volume samples) preclude the nondestructive characterization of the detailed microcracking damage at this time.