EP0073385B1 - Multiple component penetrator projectile - Google Patents

Multiple component penetrator projectile Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0073385B1
EP0073385B1 EP82107386A EP82107386A EP0073385B1 EP 0073385 B1 EP0073385 B1 EP 0073385B1 EP 82107386 A EP82107386 A EP 82107386A EP 82107386 A EP82107386 A EP 82107386A EP 0073385 B1 EP0073385 B1 EP 0073385B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
component
tungsten
section
body component
tail
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired
Application number
EP82107386A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0073385B2 (en
EP0073385A1 (en
Inventor
Andrew John Kegel
James Richard Spencer
James Sterrett Smith
Russell Harding Rhodes
James Alan Mullendore
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Osram Sylvania Inc
Original Assignee
GTE Products Corp
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Application filed by GTE Products Corp filed Critical GTE Products Corp
Priority to AT82107386T priority Critical patent/ATE23632T1/en
Publication of EP0073385A1 publication Critical patent/EP0073385A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0073385B1 publication Critical patent/EP0073385B1/en
Publication of EP0073385B2 publication Critical patent/EP0073385B2/en
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Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F42—AMMUNITION; BLASTING
    • F42B—EXPLOSIVE CHARGES, e.g. FOR BLASTING, FIREWORKS, AMMUNITION
    • F42B12/00—Projectiles, missiles or mines characterised by the warhead, the intended effect, or the material
    • F42B12/72—Projectiles, missiles or mines characterised by the warhead, the intended effect, or the material characterised by the material
    • F42B12/74—Projectiles, missiles or mines characterised by the warhead, the intended effect, or the material characterised by the material of the core or solid body
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F42—AMMUNITION; BLASTING
    • F42B—EXPLOSIVE CHARGES, e.g. FOR BLASTING, FIREWORKS, AMMUNITION
    • F42B12/00—Projectiles, missiles or mines characterised by the warhead, the intended effect, or the material
    • F42B12/02—Projectiles, missiles or mines characterised by the warhead, the intended effect, or the material characterised by the warhead or the intended effect
    • F42B12/04—Projectiles, missiles or mines characterised by the warhead, the intended effect, or the material characterised by the warhead or the intended effect of armour-piercing type
    • F42B12/06—Projectiles, missiles or mines characterised by the warhead, the intended effect, or the material characterised by the warhead or the intended effect of armour-piercing type with hard or heavy core; Kinetic energy penetrators

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a multiple component penetrator projectile comprising a body component and a tail component joined to one end of the body component, the latter consisting of frangible tungsten material.
  • a penetrator projectile of this type is shown in EP-A-51375, published 12.05.82, this document being an intermediate document coming thereby within the provisions of Articles 54(3) and 89 EPC.
  • the body component (mid-section) consists of a frangible tungsten alloy whereas the tail component consists of a high strength tungsten alloy or equivalent metal commonly used for armor-piercing projectiles.
  • frangible material means a material which, under high velocity impact against a target, will break into small fragments while penetrating the target. While frangible materials can penetrate light armor and break up into small fragments, generally they are difficult to machine using conventional machining techniques.
  • the multiple component penetrator projectile of the afore identified prior art document has a cavity in its tail section for a tracer and in some instances such cavities also can hold a self- destruct mechanism to avoid hazards to friendly personnel, equipment or installations from projectiles not hitting the target.
  • the tail component consisting of high strength tungsten alloy or equivalent armor-piercing metal is used in order to permit the defeat of spaced multiple plate targets as represented. For example, by aircraft or helicopters equippped with armored cockpits or other protected components.
  • a multiple component penetrator projectile comprising a body component and a tail component joined to one end of the body component.
  • the latter consisting of a high hardness metal for instance sinter tungsten carbide and the tail component consisting of a high density metal for instance sinter tungsten or uranium 238.
  • FR-A-1 231 010 there is disclosed a multiple component penetrator projectile of which the tail component consists of tungsten alloy with a high content of tungsten or a material with at least the density of the body but less expensive and more machinable.
  • frangible materials are known.
  • frangible alloys of tungsten are known, such as 98W-2Ni, 97W-2.lNi-0.9Fe, and 90W-10Mo and tungsten doped with about 400 ppm of nickel. All of these materials will penetrate a target such as a 2" (5 cm) thick steel armor plate, when fired at a high velocity such as from an anti-tank gun, then break into small fragments while penetrating or exiting from the plate.
  • Such materials while exhibiting the desired frangibility, have a tendency to form cracks when cavities are machined into the tail of the penetrator for tracer or self-destruction mechanisms. The cracks can cause premature fragmentation.
  • Heavy alloys are that class of two phase multicomponent tungsten alloys containing nickel and at least one other metal and in which one phase is essentially tungsten and the other phase is a solid-solution of nickel, tungsten and the other metal or metals. It has been found that the heavy alloys are suitable for forming the tail component of a penetrator where a cavity is to be machined into the tail component. It is preferred to use heavy alloys having a density of at least about 16.7 grams/cc, therefore these alloys containing at least about 88% tungsten and the balance being nickel and other metals such as , molybdenum, iron, titanius and the like. A p aularly preferred alloy is 97 1-1.35Ni-1.35..
  • a cross section of penetrator 10 comprising a body component 12, and a tail component 14 containing a tracer cavity 16.
  • Nose component 18 is of the same material as the body component 12 and can be either fabricated in one section comprising both the body component 12 and nose portion component 18 or if desired the pieces can be fabricated separately and the nose component 18 can be joined to one end of body component 12.
  • the method of joining the components can be brazing, inertial welding and the like.
  • the tail component 14 is similarly joined to the opposite end of body component 12.
  • Frangible materials as previously described are used for the body portion 12 and nose component 18. Each of these materials will penetrate the targets up to about 2" (5 cm) thick steel and will break into small pieces upon exiting the target.
  • the tail portion is the heavy alloy as previously described having a density of at least 16.7 grams/ cc.
  • Body component 22 is a frangible material.
  • the nose component 24 is a tungsten base alloy such as 98W-2Ni, 97W-2.1 Ni-0.9Fe or 90W-10Mo.
  • Tail component 26 is essentially identical to the tail portion of Fig. 1, that is, it is a machinable heavy alloy.
  • the penetrator 20 also contains a tracer cavity 28.
  • Body component 32 is made of the aforementioned annealed tungsten or tungsten containing 400 ppm of nickel.
  • the tail component 34 and one section 36 of the nose component 38 are made of the machinable heavy alloy.
  • a second section 40 extends from the first section 36 to serve as a windscreen and is a lighter weight material such as aluminium or a ceramic material.
  • the nose component 38 thus is comprised of a first section 36 which is machined to enable attachment of the second section 40 which serves as a windscreen.
  • the cavity 42 is shown in the tail component 34.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Aiming, Guidance, Guns With A Light Source, Armor, Camouflage, And Targets (AREA)
  • Moulds For Moulding Plastics Or The Like (AREA)
  • Transition And Organic Metals Composition Catalysts For Addition Polymerization (AREA)
  • Powder Metallurgy (AREA)
  • Extrusion Of Metal (AREA)

Abstract

Multiple component frangible penetrators comprise a body portion of a frangible materials and a heavy alloy machinable tail portion. Nose components joined to the opposing end of the body portions can be a variety of materials.

Description

  • The present invention relates to a multiple component penetrator projectile comprising a body component and a tail component joined to one end of the body component, the latter consisting of frangible tungsten material. A penetrator projectile of this type is shown in EP-A-51375, published 12.05.82, this document being an intermediate document coming thereby within the provisions of Articles 54(3) and 89 EPC.
  • According to the above identified prior art document the body component (mid-section) consists of a frangible tungsten alloy whereas the tail component consists of a high strength tungsten alloy or equivalent metal commonly used for armor-piercing projectiles.
  • As used herein the term "frangible material" means a material which, under high velocity impact against a target, will break into small fragments while penetrating the target. While frangible materials can penetrate light armor and break up into small fragments, generally they are difficult to machine using conventional machining techniques.
  • The multiple component penetrator projectile of the afore identified prior art document has a cavity in its tail section for a tracer and in some instances such cavities also can hold a self- destruct mechanism to avoid hazards to friendly personnel, equipment or installations from projectiles not hitting the target. In the prior art multiple component penetrator projectile, the tail component consisting of high strength tungsten alloy or equivalent armor-piercing metal is used in order to permit the defeat of spaced multiple plate targets as represented. For example, by aircraft or helicopters equippped with armored cockpits or other protected components.
  • In FR-E-75765 there is known a multiple component penetrator projectile comprising a body component and a tail component joined to one end of the body component. the latter consisting of a high hardness metal for instance sinter tungsten carbide and the tail component consisting of a high density metal for instance sinter tungsten or uranium 238.
  • Furthermore, in FR-A-1 231 010 there is disclosed a multiple component penetrator projectile of which the tail component consists of tungsten alloy with a high content of tungsten or a material with at least the density of the body but less expensive and more machinable.
  • It is the object of the present invention to provide a multiple component penetrator projectile of the type as indicated in the precharacterizing clause of claim 1 such that it provides flexibility in manufacture and overcomes some of the problems associated with the prior art and constitute an advancement in the art.
  • The above object of the present invention is achieved by the invention as claimed in claim 1.
  • Preferred embodiments of further improvements of the claimed invention are defined in the subclaims.
  • Some ways of carrying out the invention are described below in detail with reference to drawings which illustrate several preferred embodiments, in which:
    • Figures 1, 2 and 3 show longitudinal cross-sectional views of projectiles according to the present invention.
  • As previously mentioned frangible materials are known. In addition, frangible alloys of tungsten are known, such as 98W-2Ni, 97W-2.lNi-0.9Fe, and 90W-10Mo and tungsten doped with about 400 ppm of nickel. All of these materials will penetrate a target such as a 2" (5 cm) thick steel armor plate, when fired at a high velocity such as from an anti-tank gun, then break into small fragments while penetrating or exiting from the plate. Such materials, while exhibiting the desired frangibility, have a tendency to form cracks when cavities are machined into the tail of the penetrator for tracer or self-destruction mechanisms. The cracks can cause premature fragmentation.
  • "Heavy alloys" are that class of two phase multicomponent tungsten alloys containing nickel and at least one other metal and in which one phase is essentially tungsten and the other phase is a solid-solution of nickel, tungsten and the other metal or metals. It has been found that the heavy alloys are suitable for forming the tail component of a penetrator where a cavity is to be machined into the tail component. It is preferred to use heavy alloys having a density of at least about 16.7 grams/cc, therefore these alloys containing at least about 88% tungsten and the balance being nickel and other metals such as
    Figure imgb0001
    , molybdenum, iron, titanius and the like. A p aularly preferred alloy is 97 1-1.35Ni-1.35..
  • The projectiles of the present in. 3ntion have multiple components of different materials. With particular reference to Fig, 1, a cross section of penetrator 10 is shown comprising a body component 12, and a tail component 14 containing a tracer cavity 16. Nose component 18 is of the same material as the body component 12 and can be either fabricated in one section comprising both the body component 12 and nose portion component 18 or if desired the pieces can be fabricated separately and the nose component 18 can be joined to one end of body component 12. The method of joining the components can be brazing, inertial welding and the like. The tail component 14 is similarly joined to the opposite end of body component 12. Frangible materials as previously described are used for the body portion 12 and nose component 18. Each of these materials will penetrate the targets up to about 2" (5 cm) thick steel and will break into small pieces upon exiting the target.
  • The tail portion is the heavy alloy as previously described having a density of at least 16.7 grams/ cc.
  • With particular reference to Fig. 2 a cross section of a penetrator 20 having three segments is shown. Body component 22 is a frangible material. The nose component 24 is a tungsten base alloy such as 98W-2Ni, 97W-2.1 Ni-0.9Fe or 90W-10Mo. Tail component 26 is essentially identical to the tail portion of Fig. 1, that is, it is a machinable heavy alloy. The penetrator 20 also contains a tracer cavity 28.
  • With particular reference to Fig. 3 there is provided a penetrator 30 having four separate segments. Body component 32 is made of the aforementioned annealed tungsten or tungsten containing 400 ppm of nickel. The tail component 34 and one section 36 of the nose component 38 are made of the machinable heavy alloy. A second section 40 extends from the first section 36 to serve as a windscreen and is a lighter weight material such as aluminium or a ceramic material. The nose component 38 thus is comprised of a first section 36 which is machined to enable attachment of the second section 40 which serves as a windscreen. The cavity 42 is shown in the tail component 34.
  • While there has been shown and described what are at present considered the preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims (4)

1. A multiple component penetrator projectile (10, 20,30) comprising a body component (12, 22, 32) and a tail component (14, 26, 34) consisting of a heavy alloy material that is machinable and joined to one end of the body component (12, 22, 32), the latter consisting of a frangible tungsten material, characterized in that said frangible material is selected from annealed tungsten, tungsten alloys selected from the group consisting of 98W-2Ni; 97W-2.1 Ni-0.9Fe; and 90W-10Mo and tungsten doped with about 400 parts per million of nickel.
2. A penetrator projectile according to claim 1, wherein a nose component (18, 24, 38) generally having a conical shape extends from the opposing end of the body component (12, 22, 32), said nose component having the same composition as the body component or consisting of a material different than said body component.
3. A penetrator projectile according to claim 2, wherein said nose component (18, 24, 38) is comprised of a first section (36) and a second section (40), the first section being a machinable tungsten portion joined to the end of the body component opposite to the tail component and the second portion being a low density portion joined to and extending from the first section and having a different composition than said first section.
4. A penetrator projectile according to claim 3, wherein said second section (40) is selected from aluminium and ceramics.
EP82107386A 1981-08-31 1982-08-13 Multiple component penetrator projectile Expired - Lifetime EP0073385B2 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AT82107386T ATE23632T1 (en) 1981-08-31 1982-08-13 MULTI-COMPONENT IMPACT BULLET.

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US29790281A 1981-08-31 1981-08-31
US297902 1981-08-31

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0073385A1 EP0073385A1 (en) 1983-03-09
EP0073385B1 true EP0073385B1 (en) 1986-11-12
EP0073385B2 EP0073385B2 (en) 1993-03-31

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ID=23148203

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AT (1) ATE23632T1 (en)
DE (1) DE3274294D1 (en)

Families Citing this family (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3242591A1 (en) * 1982-11-18 1984-05-24 Rheinmetall GmbH, 4000 Düsseldorf LOW-LENGTH / DIAMETER RATIO UNDER-CALIBRATION BULLET STOCK
EP0156948B1 (en) * 1983-10-28 1989-08-16 Rheinmetall GmbH Fin-stabilized subcalibre missile with a high length-to-diameter ratio
DE3532776A1 (en) * 1985-09-13 1992-04-09 Rheinmetall Gmbh SUB-CALIBRATION, SWIRL-STABILIZED MULTIPURPOSE FLOOR
US4961384A (en) * 1986-02-18 1990-10-09 The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Army Hypervelocity penetrator for an electromagnetic accelerator
NO163466C (en) * 1987-05-21 1990-05-30 Oerlikon Buehrle Ag PROJECTILY WITH A PROJECTOR CORE AND A DRIVE MIRROR COAT.
DE3821474C1 (en) * 1988-06-25 1998-08-27 Nwm De Kruithoorn Bv One-piece frangible armour-piercing discarding sabot
DE19619341C2 (en) * 1996-05-14 1999-11-11 Rheinmetall W & M Gmbh Sub-caliber balancing projectile and method for its production
US8291828B2 (en) 2010-03-04 2012-10-23 Glasser Alan Z High velocity ammunition round
US8096243B2 (en) * 2010-03-04 2012-01-17 Glasser Alan Z High velocity ammunition round
CN109815600A (en) * 2019-01-28 2019-05-28 西南石油大学 A method of parsing fracture-pore reservoir tracer production curve feature

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2393648A (en) * 1942-02-20 1946-01-29 Carl A Martin Projectile
FR1231010A (en) * 1950-12-29 1960-09-26 Cie Ind Des Metaux Electroniqu Projectiles with a composite body or core and method for their manufacture
FR1212390A (en) * 1959-05-26 1960-03-23 Use of new materials for ammunition components and methods for obtaining these components
DE1428679C1 (en) * 1964-12-29 1977-09-15 Deutsch Franz Forsch Inst Hard core bullet for fighting tank targets
GB1514908A (en) * 1974-01-22 1978-06-21 Mallory Metallurg Prod Ltd Armour piercing projectiles
AU545632B2 (en) * 1980-11-05 1985-07-25 Pacific Technica Corp. Frangible projectile

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0073385B2 (en) 1993-03-31
EP0073385A1 (en) 1983-03-09
ATE23632T1 (en) 1986-11-15
DE3274294D1 (en) 1987-01-02

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