Development of a New Armor Steel and its Ballistic Performance

  • S. Hakan Atapek Kocaeli University, Kocaeli, Turkey
Keywords: Armor steel, dynamic loading, adiabatic shear band, perforation

Abstract

In this study, a boron added armor steel was developed according to standard rolled homogenous armor steel, MIL-A-12560, and metallographic-fractographic examinations were carried out to understand its deformation characteristics and perforation mode after interaction with a 7.62 mm armor piercing projectile. The microstructure of the developed steel was characterized by light and scanning electron microscope to evaluate its matrix after application of several heat treatments consisting of austenization, quenching and tempering. The mechanical properties of the developed steel were determined by tensile test at room temperature and notched impact test at -40 ºC. The ballistic performance of developed steel was determined by its V50 ballistic protection limit according to MIL-STD-662F standard and it was found to be higher than that of MIL-A-12560 steel. After perforation deformation induced adiabatic shear bands, that have an important role on the crack nucleation, were observed close to the penetration in the etched steel and perforation occurred by typical ductile hole enlargement with certain radial flows.

Defence Science Journal, 2013, 63(3), pp.271-277DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.14429/dsj.63.1341

Author Biography

S. Hakan Atapek, Kocaeli University, Kocaeli, Turkey
Dr Ş. Hakan Atapek received his MSc and PhD from Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering. kocaeli University. He is working as Assistant Professor atDepartment of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering. kocneli University. He is also a postdoctoral researcher at karlsruhe Institute of Techno logy. Institute fur Angewandte Materialieu-Werkstoffkunde. His research area include: Physical metallurgy of steels, armor steels, materials characterization and fractography.
Published
2013-05-16
How to Cite
Atapek, S. (2013). Development of a New Armor Steel and its Ballistic Performance. Defence Science Journal, 63(3), 271-277. https://doi.org/10.14429/dsj.63.1341
Section
Armaments & Explosives