Experimental investigation of the momentum transfer associated with impact into thin aluminum targets

Abstract : Aluminum spheres of 3.2-mm diameter were fired into thin 2024-T3 aluminum targets at velocities to 8.1 km/sec and the axial components of the ejecta and target momenta were measured. It was observed that the momentum transfer associated with impacts into thin targets can be classified into four different impact phases; these phases reflect differing physical processes in the targets and are determined by the impact velocity and the target thickness. The physical processes are described and the momentum data within each impact phase are correlated. Measurements of target mass loss minimum hole diameter, and threshold-spallation velocity were also obtained and are reported.