Observations on the Perforation of Slabs of Plastic Protection by Small-Caliber AP Projectiles

Abstract

Both caliber .303 (British) and caliber .30 (U.S.) AP projectiles have been fired at the same slabs of plastic protection. The slabs were about 24 in. square and 1-7/8 in. thick over-all. They consisted of an asphaltic mix (35 percent marine mastic and 65 percent Exner gravel) on a 3/16-in. mild steel backing plate. The perforation limit was found to be about 2500 +/- 100 ft/sec for both projectiles. Any difference between the projectiles which may be real for these slabs seems to favor the caliber .303 AP projectile slightly. The work has furnished evidence that an important part of the physical action of the plastic protection is to cause yaw and breakup of the projectile before it reaches the backing plate, the latter being then better able to stop the bullet or its pieces. It is suggested that any enhancement of these actions would be accompanied by an over-all improvement of the plastic protection.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 01, 1943
Accession Number
ADB279629

Entities

People

  • J. T. Pittenger
  • R. A. Beth

Organizations

  • Princeton University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Acceptance Tests
  • Air Force
  • Ammunition
  • Base Lines
  • Diameters
  • Experimental Data
  • Gun Muzzles
  • Model Basins
  • Munitions
  • National Security
  • Navy
  • Observation
  • Perforation
  • Periodicals
  • Projectiles
  • Ship Model Basins
  • Thickness

Readers

  • Mathematics or Statistics
  • Surface Coatings Technology.
  • ballistics.