Effect of interaction mechanism between jet and target on penetration performance of shaped charge liner

The penetration properties of pure W, W–Ni–Fe alloy and W–Cu alloy shaped charge liners (SCL) against steel target were researched. The results show that all the SCLs can form continuous jets with close tip velocities. W–Cu SCL, with the lowest density, exhibits the deepest penetration depth. Microscopic analysis show that ultrahard phases of Fe0.95W0.05 and martensite formed around ballistic perforations in targets penetrated by W and W–Ni–Fe SCLs. The ultrahard phases hinder jets from penetrating target further. For W–Cu SCL, Cu cannot form intermetallic with W or Fe, inhibiting intense interaction between jet and target. Consequently no ultrahard phases are observed in target penetrated by W–Cu jet. Moreover, Cu phase can lubricate the interface between jet and target, making W–Cu jet penetrate target easily. All of above results prove that the penetration depth of SCL is not only decided by the density and velocity of jet, and the interaction between jet and target is also an important factor to influence the penetration performance of SCL. Thus the interaction between jet and target should be taken into consideration for predicting the penetration performance of SCL.