Numerical simulation on the effects of ceramic particle reinforcement distribution on the penetration of functionally graded material armor

In this paper, LS-DYNA software was used to simulate the penetration of metal-ceramic functionally graded material armor made of Aluminum alloy reinforced by ceramic particle. The ceramic particle volume fraction varies from layer to layer along the armor thickness. The armor's geometry of the calculation model considered was a four-sides-fixed supported square plate whose side length was far out weight its thickness. The penetrator considered was a long rod projectile, and it impacted the plate with three different speeds along the centre line of the plate. Three different armors with the same areal density were investigated. The results show that at relative low impact velocity, the ballistic resistance has very close relation with the gradient distribution of the armor. At relative high impact velocity, the ballistic resistance of functionally graded armors is not sensitive to the ceramic particle distribution. For the same areal density, the ballistic resistance of ceramic particle reinforced functionally graded armors is better than homogeneous aluminum alloy armor at any velocity situation.