The effect of high-pressure densification on ballistic-penetration resistance of a soda-lime glass

Abstract

Molecular-level modelling and simulations of the high-pressure volumetric response and irreversible densification of a prototypical soda-lime glass are first employed. The molecular-simulation results obtained were next used to modify the pressure versus degree-of-compression (the negative of volumetric strain) and yield strength versus pressure relations in order to account for the effects of irreversible densification. These relations are next used to upgrade the equation of state and the strength constitutive laws of an existing material model for glass. This was followed by a set of transient non-linear dynamics calculations of the transverse impact of a glass test plate with a solid right-circular cylindrical steel projectile. The results obtained show that irreversible densification can provide only a minor improvement in the ballistic resistance of glass and only in the case of high-velocity (ca. 1000 m/s) projectiles. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that if the key irreversible compaction parameters can be adjusted by modifications in glass chemistry and microstructure, significant improvements in the glass ballistic resistance can be attained over a relatively wide range of projectile velocities.