Armor Mechanics
Numerical simulation of a long-rod projectile against a spaced-armor array
Scale-model ceramic laminate (RHA/Al2O3/RHA) targets
Flash x-ray of a long-rod projectile in flight (top); same projectile after impact to induce fracture (bottom)
Damaged ceramic tile, impacted by a 7.62-mm APM2 bullet
Response of two types of aluminum alloys to impact by a lead-filled ball round
The armor mechanics staff at Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) is internationally recognized for contributions to fundamental and applied understanding of penetration mechanics and armor mechanics.
For more than 30 years, SwRI staff has been using an integrated approach, including experimentation, numerical simulation, and analytical modeling, to investigate and solve fundamental and applied problems in:
- Armor mechanics
- Armor applications
- Armor design
- Reactive systems
- Active systems
- Armor concepts
- Armor evaluation and studies
- Experimental
- Analytical
- Computational
High-speed diagnostics and a wide variety of launchers support experimental studies. A complementary high-rate materials laboratory allows material characterization and determination of computational constitutive constants.
Armor Mechanics Applications and Experience
- Low-speed impact
- Small arms
- Anti-tank kinetic energy projectiles
- Chemical energy threats
- Armor efficiency assessment
- Evaluation of penetrator defeat mechanisms
- Testing of passive armor, reactive armor, and active armor
Armor Technologies
Types of Armor
- Monolithic
- Multi-material
- Multi-component
- Spaced plate
- Heavy
- Light
- Reactive
- Active
Armor Materials
- Metallics
- Ceramics
- Composites
- Fabrics
- Explosives
- Inert elements
Projectiles / Threats
- Long rods
- Medium caliber
- 14.5 (B32, BS41)
- 30-mm AP
- 30-mm APDS
- Small arms
- Rifle
- Handgun
- Armor-piercing
- Ball
- Fragment-simulating projectiles (FSPs)
- Shaped charges
Defeat Mechanisms
- Target strength
- Obliquity
- Fracture
- Yaw
- Rotation
- Spaced elements
- Erosion
- Spreading the load
Armor Mechanics Applications
- Ballistic limit
- Ballistic protection design
- Armor concept evaluation
- Design improvements
- Response of two types of aluminum alloys to impact by a lead-filled ball round
Armor Mechanics Facilities
- Indoor ballistics range
- 20- to 30-mm high-performance gun system
- 50-mm high-performance cannon (impact velocities up to ~2.0 km/s)
- Outdoor test areas, up to 1,000 yards
- Storage, handling, and application of explosives
- Fully equipped instrumentation trailer (high-speed data acquisition of pressure, strain, displacement, etc.)
- Flash radiography
- High-speed video (up to 60,000 frames per second)
- Ultra-high-speed digital imaging (up to 100 million frames per second)
Related Terminology
penetration mechanics • armor mechanics • long-rod penetrators • small arms • body armor • ballistic testing • terminal ballistics • ballistic impact • fragment-simulating projectiles • FSP • shaped charges • armor concepts evaluation • passive armor • reactive armor • active armor • homeland security
