Damage of a steel plate from hypervelocity impact

We presents the results of damage of a carbon steel plate 30 mm thick upon its loading by the impact of a steel ball 5.55 mm in diameter at a velocity of up to 7.4 km/sec. The dimensions of the crater formed and the bending flexure of the spalling layer are in good agreement with the results obtained upon a less intense loading of the target. One more feature of damage, namely, a crack passing through the target at the level of the crater bottom, has been revealed for the first time.