Evaluation of Steel and Tungsten Carbide Cobalt (WC 8Co) 5.56 x 45 mm Caliber Projectile Penetration into Silicon Carbide (SiC) Experiment and Numerical Simulation

Abdul Basyir; Romie Oktovianus Bura; Denny Lesmana; Lucia Dwi Antika

doi:10.14429/dsj.72.17232

Abdul Basyir Research Center for Physics, Indonesian Institute of Sciences, Banten Province, Indonesia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3474-6586
Romie Oktovianus Bura Faculty of Defense Technology, Indonesia Defense University, IPSC Area, West Java 16810, Indonesia http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0969-4056
Denny Lesmana Ammunition Division, PT. Pindad (Persero), Turen, East Java 65175, Indonesia
Lucia Dwi Antika Research Center for Chemistry, National Research and Innovation Agency, Banten – 15314, Indonesia http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1216-9992

DOI: https://doi.org/10.14429/dsj.72.17232

Keywords: WC-8Co, Pindad standard steel, Impact ballistics, SiC

Abstract

This study aims to evaluate WC-8Co as a substitution material in a standard steel core projectile commercially produced by PT Pindad (Persero). The enhanced performance of 5.56 x 45-millimeter ammunition after the addition of WC-8Co hard metal was evaluated in terms of penetration into a silicon carbide (SiC) target. Numerical simulations and analysis of the ballistic impact of WC-8Co on ceramic targets were verified by experimental data. The results show that front core substitution in SS109 bullets from steel (Pindad standard) to WC-8Co resulted in 1.5 times greater DoP. Although projectiles with steel (Pindad standard) as the front core have a muzzle velocity higher than those using WC-8Co, they have a lower kinetic energy than the latter. In addition, WC-8Co cemented carbides also displayed higher crater and residual velocity on SiC targets; around 1.8 and 1.3 times higher, respectively. These findings demonstrate the potential use of WC-8Co for development as front core material to improve the penetration of projectiles into ceramic armour.