Theoretical and Experimental Study on the Effects of Impact Angle on the Performance of Kevlar Woven Fabric Rubber Composite Armor against Shaped Charge Jet Impact

Abstract

Kevlar woven fabric rubber composite armor (WFRCA) is a type of add‐on armor that usually consists of two steel plates with two Kevlar woven fabrics and a rubber layer in between. In this study, a theoretical model was developed to analyze the effect of the impact angles on the performance of the Kevlar WFRCA against the shaped charge jet impact. The calculation of the precursor length was discussed in detail. A series of X‐ray experiments were conducted to analyze the disturbance mechanism and precursor length of the Kevlar WFECA against the shaped charge jet under different impact angles. Theoretical and experimental analyses showed that the greater the impact angle, the higher the tip velocity of the precursor and the shorter the precursor length. A microscopic study of the edge of the Kevlar woven fabric, rubber, and steel plates after the shaped charge jet impact was also conducted to evaluate the structure and composition. Several broken Kevlar fibers were embedded in the steel plate and the moving jet. This phenomenon can be used to further investigate the disturbance mechanism of the Kevlar WFRCA against the shaped charge impact.

Study on Interaction Mechanism between the Shaped Charge Jet and Thick Moving Target

“…When we calculate the trajectory of each jet element, the coordinates of all the jet elements are placed in the same coordinate system, which helps us to judge the motion state of each jet element. Judging from the criterion of penetration of equation (19), the sum of penetration depth of the disturbed jet can be written as follows:…”

“…As for the mechanism of shaped charge jet penetrates the moving target plate, Yadav et al [15,16] studied the interaction mechanism between jet stream and thin moving target in details based on some simple assumptions, and established the penetration model and dis-cussed the main factors influencing the penetration depth. Jia et al [17][18][19] studied the interaction mechanism of the jet and fabric fiber composite armor, and discussed the influence of sandwich materials on the depth of penetration in details, and established the reaming equation of jet penetrates the thin moving target plate, but did not discuss the reaming of thick moving target plate. Mayseless et al [20] and other members in the study found that when shaped charge jet penetrates the moving plate, the diameters have great changes.…”