IMPROVEMENT OF PENETRATOR PERFORMANCE BY INCREASING/ ENGINEERING CASE MECHANICAL PROPERTIES

Achieving a combination of high level of strength and toughness in metal alloys has always been the goal of metallurgical research, particularly true in development of construction steel alloys. Significant advances have been made in this area in the pasttwenty years, culminating with introduction of alloys AF1410 and AerMet100. Unfortunately the enhancement of properties was typically obtained through expensive processing and through use of substantial concentrations of cobalt and nickel. This drove theprice of such alloys 6-10 times that of ordinary steel. At such price levels these grades are only suitable for the most exclusive and critical applications.Phase I research demonstrates feasibility of producing steel alloys with similar level of strength and toughness as that of HP9-4-20 and AerMet100, but at substantially reduced cost. This is accomplished through utilization of conventional production /processing methods and elimination from the composition of very expensive cobalt. These researchers believe that continued development will lead to production of an alloy with yield strength of 235-250 ksi and impact strength of 30-32 ft-lb but atproduction cost of under $1 per pound. This would represent a significant improvement over alloys currently utilized in the area of air delivered munitions.