A Ballistic Evaluation of Ti-6A1-4V versus Long Rod Penetrators.

Abstract

Abstract : Previous research by the U.S. Army Materials Technology Laboratory, Watertown, MA, has shown that the most common titanium alloy, Ti-6A1-4V, provides weight-effective protection against small arms projectiles. Little follow-on research was performed with larger projectiles because the high cost of titanium precluded its use in land vehicle applications. However, since the cost of titanium has fallen relative to the cost of composite and ceramic armors, titanium is now a valid option for many armor applications calling for a lighter, nonmagnetic, noncorroding alternative for steel. However, before titanium could be considered for such applications, baseline ballistic performance information against modern tungsten alloy (WA) and depleted uranium (DU) alloy penetrators was required. A joint test program between the U.S. Army Research Laboratory, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD, and the U.S. Bureau of Mines, Albany, OR, was conducted to determine this necessary information about Ti-6A1-4V alloy. Baseline penetration and perforation data for Ti-6A1-4V and for standard rolled homogeneous armor (RHA) steel (MIL-A-12560) were collected. Ti-6A1-4V alloy showed a significant ballistic performance improvement over conventional RHA steel for both WA and DU penetrators. This report summarizes information presented at the ASM International Aeromat '94 Conference in Anaheim, CA, in June 1994.