Effects of projectile parameters on the momentum transfer and projectile melting during hypervelocity impact

Abstract

The effects of projectile/target impedance matching and projectile shape on energy, momentum transfer and projectile melting during collisions are investigated by numerical simulation. By comparing the computation results with the experimental results, the correctness of the calculation and the statistical method of momentum transfer coefficient is verified. Different shapes of aluminum, copper and heavy tungsten alloy projectiles striking aluminum, basalt, and pumice target for impacts up to 10 km/s are simulated. The influence mechanism of the shape of the projectile and projectile/target density on the momentum transfer was obtained. With an increase in projectile density and length-diameter ratio, the energy transfer time between the projectile and targets is prolonged. The projectile decelerates slowly, resulting in a larger cratering depth. The energy consumed by the projectile in the excavation stage increased, resulting in lower mass-velocity of ejecta and momentum transfer coefficient. The numerical simulation results demonstrated that for different projectile/target combinations, the higher the wave impedance of the projectile, the higher the initial phase transition velocity and the smaller the mass of phase transition. The results can provide theoretical guidance for kinetic impactor design and material selection.

Keywords

• Hypervelocity impact
• Energy partitioning
• Impact melting
• Momentum transfer