3D numerical simulations of ductile targets subjected to oblique impact by sharp nosed projectiles

Three-dimensional numerical simulations have been performed to study the behaviour of ductile targets subjected to normal and oblique impact by sharp nosed cylindrical projectiles. Twelve-mm-thick Weldox 460 E steel targets were impacted by 20 mm diameter projectiles with conical nose and 1-mm-thick 1100-H12 aluminum targets were impacted by 19 mm diameter ogive nosed projectiles. In both the cases, the targets were impacted at 0°, 15°, 30°, 45° and 60° obliquity or until the ricochet of the projectile occurred. The ballistic limit of 12 mm steel targets was found to be almost same up to 30° obliquity and thereafter it increased sharply. However, in the case of 1 mm aluminum targets a consistent increase in the ballistic limit was observed with increase in obliquity. The critical angle of projectile ricochet was found to increase with increase in impact velocity. Both the targets failed through ductile hole enlargement. Petal formation occurred in the aluminum targets and four petals were generally formed in each plate, however, the size of the upper two petals decreased and that of the lower two petals increased with increase in target obliquity. In the case of the steel targets the perforation occurred through the formation of a hole enclosed by a bulge. Both the bulge and the hole were circular in normal impact and elliptical in oblique impact. Petal formation in steel targets was observed at 60° obliquity. The ABAQUS/explicit finite element code was used to carry out numerical simulations.