Plug formation and fracture of hot isostatically pressed (HIPed) Ti-6Al-4V targets

Hot Isostatic Pressing (HIPing) was used to manufacture targets using rapidly solidified powders of Ti-6Al-4V alloy (PREP and ELI-PREP). Plastic deformation by ball milling of rapidly solidified powders was employed to modify microstructure of materials. HIPed samples with diameter 40 mm and thickness 10-30 mm were shrink fitted into larger diameter steel plates and impacted by 50 caliber projectile with flat surface and by conical projectile with apex angle 60 degrees and mass 31 gram with velocities 300-450 m/s (flat) and 900-950 m/s (conical). Comparative behavior of HIPed samples and standard samples made from MIL-T-9047G in the same geometry was investigated. Cylindrical-conical shear plugs were characteristic for both materials. Final velocity of plug for HIPed alloy, as a rule was smaller than that of baseline material Ti-6Al-4V alloy (MIL-T-9047G). Comparative features of fracture in both cases are presented. The results demonstrated that HIPed materials could be successfully used for ballistic applications.