Experimental research on the penetration of tungsten-fiber/metallic glass-matrix composite material penetrator into steel target

For investigating the mechanical behavior and self-sharpening of tungsten-fiber/metallic glass-matrix composite material, quasi-statistic and dynamic tests as well as penetration experiments of composite material penetrators into steel targets are conducted. Then the failure modes of composite material were identified systemically based on metallographic analysis and compared with the results of quasi-static and dynamic tests. Finally, the mechanism of self-sharpening behavior of material was discussed. The quasi-statistic and dynamic behaviors and the self-sharpening phenomena of material were obtained. It is found that the material has notable strain rate effect, moreover, the main failure modes of the composite material in the penetration process is localized shear failure and fracture. There are four shear failure modes for the composite material and three failure modes for the tungsten fiber.