Materials Design of a High-Density Self-Sharpening Kinetic Energy Penetrator Using Integrated Computational Materials Engineering

QuesTek will utilize an integrated computational materials engineering (ICME)-based approach in combination with our with our Materials by Design methodology to develop an optimized W/Hf-alloy composite consisting of a transforming Hf alloy designed for enhanced self-sharpening behavior and QuesTeks patented ductile W alloy to produce a high-density, self-sharpening composite. In Phase I, QuesTek will utilize our proprietary thermodynamic modeling capabilities to design a novel Hf alloy with a transformation temperature optimized to harness the thermally-assisted constitutive instabilities that arise during adiabatic heating and promote shear banding. Design validation will be performed via thermal analysis of laboratory-scale buttons. A scaled up prototype will undergo quasi-static and high strain rate testing along with microstructural characterization to validate shear band formation. These tests will serve to demonstrate the feasibility of effective self-sharpening behavior of the Hf-alloy phase to be ultimately combined with a high-density ductile W phase in a sintered composite. Finite Element Modeling will be employed in the Phase I Option to predict shear banding behavior in composite systems. The final design will optimize the tradeoff between self-sharpening behavior and high density while maintaining the desired properties of high strength, ductility, and fracture toughness to ensure penetrator integrity during launch and impact.