Reactive material projectile ballistic impact on concrete targets

Reactive material (RM) projectiles in ballistic impact events provide chemical energy in addition to kinetic energy. This study examined the interaction of an intermetallic RM projectile with a concrete target compared with a steel target. The projectiles were a consolidated mixture of aluminum and zirconium powders that were launched at an average velocity of 1275 m/s. Gas phase energy conversion was characterized by pressure measurements using the vented chamber calorimetry method. Condensed phase energy was characterized through radiant emission measured by pyrometry and thermography. Projectiles impacting steel targets produced a fine fragmentation cloud of the RM, resulting in flame spreading. Projectiles impacting concrete targets created a cloud of concrete debris due to front-face spalling, which displaced oxygen from the air and suppressed flame spreading. Results from both the gas and condensed phase energy analyses indicate that chemical reactions were quenched by the interaction of concrete debris and RM fragments.

Abstract licence: CC BY

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