Nanocrystalline alloy penetrators
Nanocrystalline alloy penetrators and related methods are generally provided. In some embodiments, a munition comprises a nanocrystalline alloy penetrator. In certain embodiments, the nanocrystalline alloy has particular properties (e.g., grain size, grain isotropy, mechanical properties) such that the penetrator acts as a rigid body kinetic penetrator.
1. A munition, comprising:
a propellant contained within a cavity of the munition; and
a penetrator;
wherein
the penetrator comprises a nanocrystalline alloy comprising at least one of:
metallic W and at least one of metallic V, metallic Sc, and metallic Cr; and
metallic Cr and at least one of metallic Pd and metallic Ni; and
the nanocrystalline alloy has a cross-sectional average grain size of less than or equal to about 100 nm.
2. The munition of claim 1 , wherein the nanocrystalline alloy does not contain iron or contains iron in an amount of less than 3.8 at%.
3. The munition of claim 1 , wherein the nanocrystalline alloy has grains with an aspect ratio of less than about 2.
4. The munition of claim 1 , wherein the penetrator is at least partially contained within a housing.
5. The munition of claim 1 , wherein the nanocrystalline alloy further comprises Ti.
6. A munition, comprising:
a propellant contained within a cavity of the munition; and
a penetrator comprising a nanocrystalline alloy comprising at least one of:
metallic W and at least one of metallic V, metallic Sc, and metallic Cr; and
metallic Cr and at least one of metallic Pd and metallic Ni;
wherein, when the penetrator is projected at and orthogonal to a 6061-T6511 Aluminum target and strikes the target at a velocity of 1 km/s, the penetrator has a first width prior to striking the target, and a second width after striking the target and coming to rest, the second width being less than about 105% of the first width.
7. The munition of claim 6 , wherein the second width is less than about 102% of the first width.
8. The munition of claim 6 , wherein the second width is less than about 101% of the first width.
9. A munition, comprising:
a propellant contained within a cavity of the munition; and
a penetrator comprising a nanocrystalline alloy comprising at least one of:
metallic W and at least one of metallic V, metallic Sc, and metallic Cr; and
metallic Cr and at least one of metallic Pd and metallic Ni;
wherein, when the penetrator is projected at and orthogonal to a 6061-T6511 Aluminum target and strikes the target at a velocity of 1 km/s, the penetrator has a first length prior to striking the target, and a second length after striking the target and coming to rest, the second length being within about 5% of the first length.
10. The munition of claim 9 , wherein the second length is within about 2% of the first length.
11. The munition of claim 9 , wherein the second length is within about 1% of the first length.
12. The munition of claim 6 , wherein the nanocrystalline alloy has a cross-sectional average grain size of less than or equal to about 100 nm.
13. The munition of claim 6 , wherein the nanocrystalline alloy comprises 0 at% to about 3.8 at% Fe.
14. The munition of claim 13 , wherein the nanocrystalline alloy comprises less than or equal to about 2 at% Fe.
15. The munition of claim 13 , wherein the nanocrystalline alloy comprises between about 0.1 at% and about 3.8 at% Fe.
16. The munition of claim 9 , wherein the nanocrystalline alloy comprises both W and Cr in a solid solution.
17. The munition of claim 9 , wherein the nanocrystalline alloy further comprises Ti.
18. The munition of claim 9 , wherein the nanocrystalline alloy has a relative density of at least about 75%.
19. The munition of claim 9 , wherein the nanocrystalline alloy has a cross-sectional average grain size of less than or equal to about 100 nm.
20. The munition of claim 1 , wherein the nanocrystalline alloy comprises metallic W.
21. The munition of claim 20 , wherein the metallic W is present in an amount of at least 40 at%.
22. The munition of claim 20 , wherein the nanocrystalline alloy comprises metallic Cr in solid solution with the metallic W.
23. The munition of claim 1 , wherein the penetrator comprises a nanocrystalline alloy comprising metallic W and at least one of metallic V, metallic Sc, and metallic Cr.
24. The munition of claim 23 , wherein the penetrator comprises a nanocrystalline alloy comprising metallic W and metallic Cr.
25. The munition of claim 1 , wherein the penetrator comprises a nanocrystalline alloy comprising metallic Cr and at least one of metallic Pd and metallic Ni.
26. The munition of claim 6 , wherein the penetrator comprises a nanocrystalline alloy comprising metallic W and at least one of metallic V, metallic Sc, and metallic Cr.
27. The munition of claim 26 , wherein the penetrator comprises a nanocrystalline alloy comprising metallic W and metallic Cr.
28. The munition of claim 6 , wherein the penetrator comprises a nanocrystalline alloy comprising metallic Cr and at least one of metallic Pd and metallic Ni.
29. The munition of claim 9 , wherein the penetrator comprises a nanocrystalline alloy comprising metallic W and at least one of metallic V, metallic Sc, and metallic Cr.
30. The munition of claim 29 , wherein the penetrator comprises a nanocrystalline alloy comprising metallic W and metallic Cr.
31. The munition of claim 9 , wherein the penetrator comprises a nanocrystalline alloy comprising metallic Cr and at least one of metallic Pd and metallic Ni.