Experimental and numerical studies on the effectiveness of high-strength steels protecting against API BZ projectiles

This paper uses numerical and experimental methods to look at how well Xar450 and Perform 700 high-strength steels protect against a 7.62 × 39 mm API BZ projectile. The numerical study of the target thicknesses varies from 3 mm to 4 mm and 6 mm. And they are struck at 0°, 15°, 30°, 45°, and 60° oblique angles. Numerical simulation results show that at a normal impact angle, the bullet can break through the Perform700 targets in all thicknesses; however, the resistance performance of the target plate increases with the rise of oblique angles. The Xar450 target plates of 4 mm and 6 mm can resist the bullet at any oblique angle, but the bullet can easily penetrate 3 mm thickness from 0° to 30° oblique angles. The experiment is based on the VPAM-APR 2006 standard. The experiment results showed that the bullet perforated through the Perform700 target plate with a thickness of 3 mm at 0° and 30° oblique angles. In contrast, the bullet cannot penetrate the Xar450 target thickness of 4 mm at a normal angle. The findings of this research are used in the formulation of the design methodology for a light armoured vehicle. Besides, they have considerable importance in the realm of calculating and developing anti-fracture structures for practical applications. © 2023 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.