Numerical analysis of the influence of the velocity of compact metal projectiles with constant kinetic energy on the sizes of the crater formed in a steel target

The influence of the velocity of compact metal projectiles of spherical and cylindrical shapes on the size of craters formed in steel targets of different strength was studied in the velocity range 2–10 km/s by numerical simulations using two different computing systems. The behavior of the materials of the projectile and target is described using a model of a compressible elastoplastic medium with a constant yield point. The materials of projectiles are copper, titanium, and tantalum. The mass and velocity of projectiles are specified assuming that their kinetic energy is constant. It is found that the dependences of the crater depth on the velocity of projectiles with a constant kinetic energy have a maximum point, and the volume of craters decreases monotonically with increasing velocity.