Cost effective replacement material for carbide steel penetrator
Cost effective replacement material for carbide steel penetrator
(OP)
I am currently exploring materials which could be used to form penetrators. We currently work with sintered carbide which is expensive and makes up a significant percentage of the overall cost of end product. We are looking to penetrate steel sheets of varying thickness in the 320-370HB region. The penetrators travel between 600-800m/s. Carbide is obviously very effective and shows no deformation at all leading me to think it may be overkill. I am looking at modern alloys for a possible alternative and would love to hear some opinions on this.





RE: Cost effective replacement material for carbide steel penetrator
But don't the carbide parts last forever? Why is this a major cost?
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P.E. Metallurgy, Plymouth Tube
RE: Cost effective replacement material for carbide steel penetrator
RE: Cost effective replacement material for carbide steel penetrator
"Even,if you are a minority of one, truth is the truth."
Mahatma Gandhi.
RE: Cost effective replacement material for carbide steel penetrator
RE: Cost effective replacement material for carbide steel penetrator
http://www.crucible.com/eselector/prodbyapp/highsp...
Maui
RE: Cost effective replacement material for carbide steel penetrator
RE: Cost effective replacement material for carbide steel penetrator
Hmmmm... 600-to-800-m/sec [1970-to-2624-Fps] is a snail's pace for ballistic penetrators: no wonder You have trouble...
Ballistic penetrators perform with greater 'punch' [penetration power] when density, toughness and velocity are combined with: (a) impact factors such as instantaneous angle of attack/motion; (b) onto a target's surface [preferably of relatively low obliquity]; and (c) post penetration fragmentation and/or pyrophoric action.
in-other-words...
A high hardness/strength penetrator-nose/shell [high tool steel?], combine with a high-hardness/density core [Tungsten alloy] and highly stable flight [no wobble] to impact ... combined with a spalling/shattering and/or pyrophoric action on exit of an armored wall.
I tend to think that variations in geometry of the penetrator-nose/shell might prove to have a significant influence on the initial 'stickiness' on the target surface, penetration initiation IE; tendency to draw-penetrator deeper... or deflect/ricochet the penetrator.
I wonder if instantaneous rotational velocity on impact [VS no significant projectile rotation] might also be a factor for penetration initiation???
Regards, Wil Taylor
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RE: Cost effective replacement material for carbide steel penetrator
TTFN (ta ta for now)
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RE: Cost effective replacement material for carbide steel penetrator
If this is an R&D program, another parameter to eventually consider is production volume. For gun fired ammo (either spin or fin stabilized) typical procurement quantities are in the 10^5 – 10^7 range, so the raw material should be easily processed. Another parameter is the threat level. If high (say like a tank or an incoming missile), the better performing alloys of Co, W, Ni, etc. might be considered because you may only get one chance at the target. (U-238, called DU, as used in 20mm and 30mm ammo gives great performance at low cost, but there are some environmental concerns.) Incidentally the area of penetration mechanics and material behavior under high strain rates has been researched for many years, in many calibers by the DOD and the national labs.
RE: Cost effective replacement material for carbide steel penetrator
RE: Cost effective replacement material for carbide steel penetrator
RE: Cost effective replacement material for carbide steel penetrator
What about solid W (not carbide)? I don't know if it would work in small arms.
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P.E. Metallurgy, Plymouth Tube
RE: Cost effective replacement material for carbide steel penetrator
Thanks for the additional info.
The target material you are using sounds like MIL-A-46100 or the typical AR500 steel plate used for range targets.
The muzzle velocity of ~900 m/s is similar to that of a typical 5.56 caliber AR platform with a longer length barrel. The common M855 cartridge (MIL-C-63989) used by the US military has a steel penetrator tip that is required to penetrate .135" thick mild steel plate at 600 meters. It might be worth taking a look at the development history of the M855 cartridge since it could provide some insight on what metal might work for your application. There should be plenty of public source information on the subject.
RE: Cost effective replacement material for carbide steel penetrator
TTFN (ta ta for now)
I can do absolutely anything. I'm an expert! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKorP55Aqvg
FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies forum1529: Translation Assistance for Engineers Entire Forum list http://www.eng-tips.com/forumlist.cfm