Effects of sintering temperature and Ni/Fe ratio on ballistic performance of tungsten heavy alloy fragments

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the sintering temperature and Ni/Fe ratio on the ballistic performance of liquid-phase sintered tungsten heavy alloys. The powder mixtures were pressed under 300 MPa and sintered at 1460, 1480, and 1500 degrees C for approximately 30 min in a reducing and protective atmosphere. Ballistic tests were performed by accelerating tungsten heavy alloy fragments with a velocity of similar to 900 m/s toward a 25 mm-thick Al 6061-T6 target. Simulation studies were performed using the finite-element method to model the deformation of the fragment and the target. The experimental results showed that the highest residual velocity and the best perforation performance for multiple-layered targets were obtained with a 93 W-4.67Ni-2.33Fe alloy sintered at 1480 degrees C, and the increase in the sintering temperature and plastic deformation of the fragments enhanced the damage on the target during the impact process via hole enlargement on the target. The simulation results showed that the mesh sizes of the fragment and the target affected the modeling of the fragment/target deformation and the residual velocity of the fragment. Additionally, the simulation results showed good correlation with test results with regard to the modeling of the deformation at the impact and rear surfaces of the target during perforation.This study was supported by the TOBB University of Economics and Technology and TUBITAK Defense Industries Research and Development Institute . The authors acknowledge Dr. N. Kaan Çalışkan from TUBİTAK Defense Industries Research and Development Institute for his contributions to the studies on sintering