Flash X-ray cinematography analysis of dwell and penetration of smallcaliber projectiles with three types of SiC ceramics

In order to improve the performance of ceramic composite armor it is essential to know the mechanisms during each phase of theprojectile-target interaction and their influence on the penetration resistance. Since the view on the crater zone and the tip of a projectilepenetrating a ceramic is rapidly getting obscured by damaged material, a flash X-ray technique has to be applied in order to visualize projectilepenetration. For this purpose, usually several flash X-ray tubes are arranged around the target and the radiographs are recorded on film. At EMIa flash X-ray imaging method has been developed, which provides up to eight flash radiographs in one experiment. A multi-anode 450 kV flashX-ray tube is utilized with this method. The radiation transmitted through the target is then detected on a fluorescent screen. The fluorescent screenconverts the radiograph into an image in the visible wavelength range, which is photographed by means of a high-speed camera. This techniquehas been applied to visualize and analyze the penetration of 7.62 mm AP projectiles into three different types of SiC ceramics. Two commercialSiC grades and MICASIC （Metal Infiltrated Carbon derived SiC）, a C-SiSiC ceramic developed by DLR, have been studied. The influences, notonly of the ceramic but also the backing material, on dwell time and projectile erosion have been studied. Penetration curves have been determinedand their relevance to the ballistic resistance is discussed.