Metallurgical Examination of a 3-1/4 in. Thick Armor Plate from a German PzKw V (Panther) Tank
Abstract
The object of this study is to make a metallurgical examination of a 3-1/4 in. armor section from the front of a German PzKw V (Panther) tank. The 3- 1/4 in. thick plate was made from an aluminum-killed .50% carbon 2.% chromium, . 14% vanadium steel heat treated to a hardness of 262-269 Brinell. Typical of most German armor which has been examined, it was found to be very sound cross- rolled steel. However it exhibited extremely low toughness (as indicated by the fracture and Charpy tests) making it susceptible to shattering under a shock type ballistic test. The inferior toughness was attributed to a combination of incomplete transformation to martensite upon quenching and temper embrittlement, the latter being readily eliminated without changing the hardness by retempering at 1200 F. followed by a water quench.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 18, 1945
- Accession Number
- ADA954952
Entities
People
- P. V. Riffin