Tensile Strength Measurements of Frangible Bullets Using the Diametral Compression Test

Published

May 8, 2007

Author(s)

Steven P. Mates, Richard L. Rhorer, Stephen W. Banovic, Eric P. Whitenton, Richard J. Fields

Abstract

Frangible bullets are designed to disintegrate on impact against rigid surfaces to avoid ricochet hazards in recreational shooting ranges or law enforcement training facilities. Their behavior against protective soft body armor is therefore quite different than conventional lead bullets, which are designed to expand on impact rather than shatter into fragments. Models to predict the impact of frangible bullets on soft body armor are currently sought to aide in the development of new performance standards for the law enforcement community against this unusual ballistic threat. Modeling success rests on the availability of constitutive data for frangible materials used in these bullets, such as tensile strength. To supply this critical data, the tensile strength of a common Cu-Sn frangible bullet material is measured using the diametral compression test at quasi-static (1 m/s) and high (12.5 m/s) displacement rates. The latter tests are conducted using a Kolsky Bar. Finite element modeling is used to calculate the stress in the specimen at failure. Using a maximum tensile strain criterion, the effective tensile strength was found to be 104 MPa 14 MPa and was insensitive to displacement rate.

Citation

International Journal of Impact Engineering

Volume

35

Pub Type

Journals

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DOI Link

Keywords

diametral compression test, finite element modeling, frangible bullets, Kolsky bar, soft body armor, tensile strength

Citation

Mates, S. , Rhorer, R. , Banovic, S. , Whitenton, E. and Fields, R. (2007), Tensile Strength Measurements of Frangible Bullets Using the Diametral Compression Test, International Journal of Impact Engineering, [online], https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijimpeng.2007.04.005 (Accessed December 13, 2024)