Study of armor-piercing self-sharpening properties of 88WC-12Co material

Abstract In this paper, the armor piercing power of 93W-4Ni-3Fe and 88WC-12Co with the same target velocity and core size is compared through experiments. The craters formed by the penetration of the same size projectile core made of 88WC-12Co and 93W-4Ni-3Fe into the semi-infinite Q235 steel target at the velocity of 1300 m/s–1500 m/s were compared. The penetration depth of 88WC-12Co is 12.5% –35% lower than that of 93W-4Ni-3Fe ( including residual projectile core ), and the pore size is about 12%–26% smaller. At the velocity of 1300 m/s-1480 m/s, there are more residual projectiles at the bottom of 93 W projectile pit. When the velocity is higher than 1510 m/s, the residue is less and the utilization rate of core material is higher. The aperture caused by the penetration of 88WC-12Co projectile core is slender and smooth, and the residual at the bottom of the crater is less than 93W. This proves that 88WC-12Co material has certain armor piercing self-sharpness. It is speculated that 88WC has a similar or even higher penetration ability to 93W when the initial kinetic energy of the two cores is the same.