A mass abrasion model with the melting and cutting mechanisms during high-speed projectile penetration into concrete slabs

In this study, ogive-nose projectile penetration into concrete slabs was tested at initial projectile impact velocities ranging from 1325.0 m/s to 1425.0 m/s. The depth of penetration and mass loss of the projectiles were measured, and the residual projectiles were recovered after the penetration tests. Scanning electron microscopy and metallographic microscopy of the microstructures were performed on various sections and outer surfaces of the projectiles taken from different locations of the residual projectiles, to analyze the intrinsic mechanisms of mass abrasion. The analysis results reveal that, during high-speed projectile penetration, projectile abrasion is caused by multiple mechanisms. Based on the cavity expansion theory, a projectile penetration model was established by considering the two main mass loss mechanisms observed in the microscopic tests. The theoretical predictions of the penetration depth, mass loss rate, and change of projectile head are consistent with the experimental results obtained both in this study and previous research.