Damage aftereffect of energetic materials in armor piercing incendiary projectiles on diesel fuel tanks

Abstract

In order to investigate the damage aftereffect of energetic materials on diesel fuel tanks, this study compares the damage effects of three energetic materials, namely CuO/Al thermite, PTFE/Al+CuO/Al composite, and Zr powder, on diesel fuel tanks. The hole area on fuel tanks and the length and duration of diesel deflagration-formed fireballs are characterized, and the damage process and mechanism of armor piercing incendiary (API) projectiles are explored. According to the results, the CuO/Al thermite releases energy rapidly during projectile penetration into the target and exhibits the highest damage power. The hole produced by the thermite projectiles has an area twice as large as that produced by the composite projectiles, and the maximum fireball induced by the thermite persists twice as long as that induced by the composite. The rapid energy release of the CuO/Al thermite is primarily attributed to the vaporization of copper atoms into free copper at high temperatures, which further increases the pressure in fuel tanks. CuO/Al-filled API projectiles at a velocity of 950 m/s can produce violent deflagration and petaling damage to diesel fuel tanks.