Damage of aluminum borate whisker reinforced 6061 aluminum composite under impact of hypervelocity projectiles

An aluminum borate whisker reinforced 6061 aluminum composite (AlBOw/6061Al) semi-infinite target was impacted by hypervelocity projectiles with velocity of 2.1 km s−1. The results showed that a columned crater with hemispherical bottom was formed. The crater formed on the AlBOw/6061Al composite is much smaller than that on the 6061 aluminum alloy target. Spallation occurred along the edge of the crater on the composite target, and some whiskers were pulled out in the vicinity of the crater, severely compressed deformation of the composite material occurred and the whiskers were obviously smashed into smaller particles. Due to the acute damage caused by hypervelocity projectile impact, the micro-hardness is lower in the areas near crater than that far away from the crater.