High-velocity perforation mechanisms and attitude deflection characteristics of composite projectiles perforating multi-layered steel targets

This paper presents a comparative investigation of the high-velocity perforation behavior of a composite projectile and a conventional ogive-nosed projectile. Based on oblique perforation experiments on multi-layered steel plates at high velocities, the asymmetric evolution of the projectile nose and the characteristic failure morphologies of the targets are obtained. Combined with numerical simulations, the projectile-target interaction mechanisms are elucidated. Observations of projectile motion during multi-layered perforation reveal that the variations in pitch angle and angle of attack of the composite projectile are significantly smaller than those of the single projectile. Further comparative analysis indicates that the enhanced attitude stability originates from the protective mechanism of the cap. Under high-velocity oblique perforation, the cap dissipates a substantial amount of energy through its own plastic deformation, effectively redistributing the energy across different regions of the nose. This significantly attenuates the compressive and shear loads transmitted to the main body, thereby suppressing stress concentration and asymmetric deformation on the distal side of the nose and ensuring high structural integrity and minimal deformation of the main nose. The mechanism underlying the smaller attitude deflection is that the plastic deformation of the cap attenuates the compressive and shear forces acting on the main body, thereby reducing the deflection moment and angular acceleration experienced by the projectile and enhancing attitude stability. This stabilization advantage becomes increasingly pronounced with increasing obliquity. This study on the perforation behavior of composite projectiles provides mechanistic insights for the design and analysis of similar projectile configurations.