Impact Simulation and Ballistic Analysis of B4C Composite Armour Based on Target Plate Tests

Abstract Lightweight composite armour systems composed of a B4C ceramic panel and composite back panel have excellent bulletproof performance and are used to resist attacks from armour-piercing incendiary projectiles. Numerical simulations can be used to simulate the process of projectiles impacting armour; thus, this method is widely used in armour ballistic performance analyses. To verify the accuracy of the B4C material model, a finite element method based on two-dimensional smoothed particle hydrodynamics is used to simulate the penetration process of steel projectiles into B4C/Al composite armour. To verify the accuracy of the ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMW-PE) model, a three-dimensional Lagrange method was used to simulate the penetration of a fragment simulating projectile into the UHMW-PE. The influence of geometric strain in the erosion algorithm on the ballistic performance of the UHMW-PE was investigated, and the erosion geometric strain suitable for the UHMW-PE was identified. The impact of a 12.7 mm armour-piercing incendiary projectile on the B4C/UHMW-PE and B4C/C/UHMW-PE armours was then simulated and tested experimentally. The results showed that the B4C/UHMW-PE armour was penetrated by the projectile, while the B4C/C/UHMW-PE armour was not penetrated. The ballistic performance of the B4C composite armour, damage state of the B4C ceramic, and bulge deformation of the UHMW-PE were accurately obtained in the simulations. A comparison with the experimental results showed that the proposed method could accurately simulate the penetration process of the B4C/UHMW-PE armour, reveal the penetration mechanism of composite armour, reduce the number of projectile tests, and provide a basis and technical means for the design and optimisation of lightweight composite armour.