Study on Penetration of High-Polymer Shaped Charge Jets

This study investigates the characteristics of shaped charge jet formations with a high-polymer liner, as well as its penetration capabilities, by experimental and numerical methods. Two types of liner materials were studied: a high-polymer PTFE liner and a pure copper liner. Pulse x-ray photographic technology was employed to observe the distent jet of the PTFE liner and the particulate jet of the copper liner. The simulation and jet radiography results show that the two jet behaviors with particulate and radial dispersion are ductile behaviors, and the two jet behaviors appear to be related to the liner material. The distent jet formation result from the liner material was crushed at the high-pressure region because the sudden pressure increase produces radial velocity, which results in lateral expansion. Compared with the typical copper penetration performance, the polymer distent jet had a larger aperture and lower penetration depth. Clearly, because of the low polymer liner density, this device will have limited penetration compared to that of a copper liner. The simulated results strongly agree with the experimental results.