Transition Regime between High-Velocity and Hypervelocity Impact and Related Energy Partitioning in Metals: State-of-the-Art Review, Characterization, and Modeling

Abstract

Abstract We discuss how established modeling approaches for metals in terminal ballistics can be extended towards higher impact velocities, yet below the threshold of purely hydrodynamic behavior. While at the upper bound of the high-velocity penetration regime the effects of material strength and failure are dominating, the ideal hydrodynamic behavior is still not achieved until velocities of several kilometers per second. The transition regime in between sees a gradual shift from effects dominated by strength to those connected with the increase of internal energy, such as thermal softening and melting. Therefore, the coexistence of different multi-physics phenomena makes this intermediate domain of paramount interest, especially for computational scientists. A physics-based characterization of the transition regime is discussed alongside penetration data, partition measurements, and experimental observation from different literature sources. The key results of an extensive literature review with a focus on the relevant phenomena for impact modeling of metals up to hypervelocity conditions are presented. Limits and prospects of hydrocode simulation for energy partitioning computation as well as relatively novel approaches for the field of impact research are discussed. This conference paper summarizes the recent research on the topic conducted in our group. Related results and discussions are taken from earlier publications by the authors on which the text of this contribution is based.