Reactive jet density distribution effect on its penetration behavior

In this paper, the penetration mechanism of reactive jet with non-uniform density distribution is studied. The simulations show that the density deficit occurs in the whole reactive jet, and the density increases from the jet tip to tail. The density of jet tip is approximately 1.5 g/cm³, which is lower than that of the reactive liner materials. The X-ray experiments show similar results with the simulations. The density decreasing effect of jet tip has a significant influence on the penetration behavior when the reactive jet impacts steel plate. According to the simulation results, this paper assumes that the density gradient in the jet section has linear distribution. Then, the deflagration pressure generated by each jet element at the bottom of crater is introduced into the Bernoulli equation. Based on the virtual origin model and Szendrei-Held equation, the analytical models for penetration depth and radial cratering of reactive jet with the density reduction are obtained. Moreover, to further prove the validity of analytical models, the penetration experiments of the reactive liner shaped charge against steel plate under different standoffs are carried out. There is a convergence between the analytical crater profiles and experimental results when reactive jets penetrate steel plates under different standoffs, especially at standoff of 1.5 and 2.0 charge diameters.