The Performance of a Nanocrystalline Tungsten Composite in Ballistic Impacts

Published

September 1, 2001

Author(s)

L S. Magness, L Kesckes, Frank S. Biancaniello, Stephen D. Ridder, M Chung, D Kapoor

Abstract

A novel tungsten heavy alloy with a nanocrystalline microstructure was produced. Tungsten powders were ball milled in a controlled atmosphere environment, with rapidly solidified powders of a binder alloy known to exhibit a stress-induced martensitic transformation. The milled powders were consolidated in a Hot Isostatic Press (HIP). Microstructural examinations and microhardness tests were conducted on the consolidated product. In quarter-scale ballistic testing, the penetration performance of the nanostructured tungsten composite was compared to those of penetrators of conventional tungsten-based composites and depleted uranium alloys, and showed promise as a kinetic energy penetrator material. Optical and SEM metallographic examinations of the residual penetrator debris examine the flow and failure of the nanocrystalline penetrator material.

Proceedings Title

Proceedings of the Conference on Nanostructure Science Metrology and Technology

Volume

4608

Conference Dates

September 5-7, 2001

Conference Location

Undefined

Conference Title

SPIE Proceedings

Pub Type

Conferences

Keywords

adiabatic shear localization, ball mill, depleted uranium, environmental concerns, hardness, HIP, microstructure, nanostructure, penetrator

Citation

Magness, L. , Kesckes, L. , Biancaniello, F. , Ridder, S. , Chung, M. and Kapoor, D. (2001), The Performance of a Nanocrystalline Tungsten Composite in Ballistic Impacts, Proceedings of the Conference on Nanostructure Science Metrology and Technology, Undefined (Accessed April 24, 2024)