Penetration-deflagration coupling damage performance of rod-like reactive shaped charge penetrator impacting thick steel plates

The penetration-deflagration coupling damage performance of rod-like reactive shaped charge penetrator (RRSCP) impacting thick steel plates is investigated by theoretical analysis and experiments. A penetration-deflagration coupling damage model is developed to predict the penetration depth and cratering diameter. Four type of aluminum-polytetrafluoroethylene-copper (Al-PTFE-Cu) reactive liners with densities of 2.3, 2.7, 3.5, and 4.5 g·cm −3 are selected to conduct the penetration experiments. The comparison results show that model predictions are in good agreement with the experimental data. By comparing the penetration depth and cratering diameter in the inert penetration mode and the penetration-deflagration coupling mode, the influence mechanism that the penetration-induced chemical response is unfavorable to penetration but has an enhanced cratering effect is revealed. From the formation characteristics, penetration effect and penetration-induced chemical reaction behaviors, the influence of reactive liner density on the penetration-deflagration performance is further analyzed. The results show that increasing the density of reactive liner significantly increases both the kinetic energy and length of the reactive penetrator, meanwhile effectively reduces the weakened effect of penetration-induced chemical response, resulting in an enhanced penetration capability. However, due to the decreased diameter and potential energy content of reactive penetrator, the cratering capability is weakened significantly. • A theoretical model for the penetration-deflagration coupling damage performance of RRSCP is developed. • The influence mechanism of penetration-induced chemical response on penetration and cratering capabilities is revealed. • The influences of reactive liner density on the penetration-deflagration performance of RRSCP are discussed.