Study on the anti-penetration performance and perforation failure of Ti/Al₃Ti/Al-laminated target

The numerical simulation of bullet penetrating Ti/Al₃Ti/Al-laminated targets with different individual thicknesses at initial velocity of 800 m/s and anti-penetration properties of the same-sized bullet under different initial velocities was carried out by Ansys/LS-DYNA. The implementation of the finite element model was validated against theoretical and penetration experimental results. The residual velocity of the bullet and specific energy absorption of area density (SEA) were employed to evaluate the anti-penetration performance of Ti/Al₃Ti/Al-laminated target, and the resultant deformation process and failure modes of individual layers were, respectively, specified. Results show that the failure process consists of the fragmentation of local Al₃Ti layers induced by compression wave, individual delamination failure induced by tensile longitudinal wave, compression shear fracture induced by the reflected transverse wave and shear wave, and shear bending of backboard induced by the tensile transverse wave and shear wave. Among the individual layers of the Ti/Al₃Ti/Al-laminated target, the role of Al layers possessed the characteristics of energy absorption and wave-absorbing properties, TC4 layers presented the external toughening and main energy absorption, and the residual velocity of the bullet and supporting impact on the adjacent ductile layers were regulated by Al₃Ti layers. This work aims to provide a theoretical basis and guidance for the military application and research on high-performance, lightweight laminated targets.