Hydrogen susceptibility of Al 5083 under ultra-high strain rate ballistic loading

Abstract

The effect of hydrogen on the ballistic performance of aluminum (Al) 5083H131 was examined both experimentally and numerically in this study. Ballistics tests were conducted at a 30° obliquity in accordance with the ballistic test standard MIL-DTL-46027 K. The strike velocities of projectiles were ranged from 240 m s−1 to 500 m s−1 level in the room temperature. Electrochemical hydrogen charging method was utilized to introduce hydrogen into material. Chemical composition of material was analyzed using energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis. Instant camera pictures were captured using high-speed camera to compare H-uncharged and H-charged specimen ballistics tests. The volume loss in partially penetrated specimens were assessed using the 3D laser scanning method. Microstructural examinations were conducted utilizing scanning electron microscopy (SEM). It was observed that with the increased deformation rate, the dominance of the HEDE mechanism over HELP became evident. Furthermore, the experimental findings were corroborated through numerical methods employing finite element analysis (FEM) along with the Johnson–Cook plasticity model and failure criteria. Inverse optimization technique was employed to implement and fine-tune the Johnson–Cook parameters for H-charged conditions. Upon comparing the experimental and numerical outcomes, a high degree of consistency was observed, indicating the effective performance of the model.