The jet formation and penetration capability of hypervelocity shaped charges

The jet formation and penetration capacity of hypervelocity shaped charges (HSCs) against three steel targets was carefully examined using both experimental and numerical method. The HSCs with five different disc materials, i.e. silicon carbide, steel 45#, steel 4340, copper and tungsten, were manufactured to explore their penetration capability and compare with a classical conical shaped charge (CSC). The jet formation and penetration of both HSCs and a CSC was simulated using a numerical model that reproduces the results of experiments. It is found that the length and head velocity of the projectiles formed by HSCs with a tungsten disc are larger than those with other disc materials, and more importantly, they are even larger by 23.9% and 36.6% compared with that formed by the CSCs. However, the corresponding diameter of the entrance in the first steel target is much smaller than that of the CSC and HSCs with other disc materials. Overall, it is encouraging that the HSC with a tungsten disc yields a deeper penetration depth by 6.1% compared to a CSC, while other materials cannot compete with CSCs.