Producing compact copper elements in the velocity range of 5–9.5 km/s using shaped charges with modified combined hemisphere-cylinder liners

Abstract

To test the protective shields of spacecraft for resistance to meteoroids and space debris fragments, it is necessary to develop methods for accelerating solid particles to high velocities. The currently used shaped charges with a combined hemisphere-cylinder liner make it possible to produce compact steel elements with velocities at the level of 6 km/s. Based on numerical modeling within framework of a two-dimensional axisymmetric problem of continuum mechanics, the possibilities of modifying hemisphere-cylinder liner to expand the range of velocities of the resulting compact elements are considered. Modeling was carried out with respect to a shaped charge with a diameter of 100 mm and a copper liner. The jet-forming part of the liner was given a degressive (decreasing from the top to the base) thickness with a hemispherical or semi-ellipsoidal shape of its outer surface and a semi-ellipsoidal or semi-superellipsoidal shape of the inner surface. By numerical calculations, the geometric parameters of the combined liners were selected, which make it possible to form compact elements with velocities in the range from 5 to 9.5 km/s at the maximum possible value of element mass. The mass of the element at a velocity of about 9.5 km/s was about 5 g.