Hypervelocity impact in thin sheets and semi- infinite targets at 15km/sec

Abstract

Pyrex spheres (0.15-mm diam) accelerated to a velocity of 15 km/sec by a plasma rail gun were used to produce holes in thin stainless steel and aluminum targets. The velocity was measured by time of flight, using a photomultiplier to detect the time at which a thin target was penetrated. The sphere diameter was measured by extrapolating the hole size in thin targets to a zero thickness target and arguing that that is the projectile diameter. The experimental hole diameters in thin targets were proportional to the velocity to the 0.2 power, and target thickness to the f power. Also, the 15 km/sec spheres were used against 2014 T6 and 1100 aluminum semi-infinite targets to measure the crater size and obtain an indication of the effect of strength at the above velocity.