Penetration kinetics of a cumulative jet into brittle materials

Abstract

The experimental results on the penetration of cumulative jets into brittle materials are analyzed to substantiate the assumption that continuous hydrodynamic penetration is violated. The penetration of a cumulative jet into a brittle material has a jumplike character and consists of hydrodynamic penetration, the collapse of the cavity, and secondary penetration into the collapsed material. For a continuous supply of a cumulative jet, this process is repeated at the penetration depth. The necessary conditions of the secondary penetration consist in a high strength of the brittle material and a high fracture rate, which should provide the spallation and collapse of the cavity walls. Jumplike penetration ends when a rarefaction wave passes to the zone of primary penetration.