Study of Impact Characteristics of ZrO(2) Ceramic Composite Projectiles on Ceramic Composite Armor

Exploring new armor-piercing materials is crucial for improving the penetrative ability of projectiles. Based on the process of in situ solidification injection molding through ceramic dispersant hydrolytic degradation, a ZrO(2) ceramic material suitable for use as the tip of a 12.7 mm kinetic energy (KE) projectile was prepared. The ZrO(2) ceramic tip can be matched with the metal core of a conventional projectile to form a ceramic composite projectile, increasing the damage to the Al(2)O(3) ceramic composite armor. Specifically, the ZrO(2) ceramic tip can increase the impact load on the Al(2)O(3) ceramic panel, prolonging the pre-damage phase and reducing the stable penetration phase, shortening the mass erosion time of the metal core compared with a 12.7 mm metal KE projectile tip. The ceramic composite projectile with the ZrO(2) ceramic tip has a lower critical penetration velocity than a 12.7 mm metal KE projectile for Al(2)O(3) ceramic composite armor. Furthermore, the residual velocity, residual length, and residual mass of the metal core of the ceramic composite projectile that penetrated the Al(2)O(3) ceramic composite armor are greater than those of a 12.7 mm metal KE projectile.