Ballistic performance of Armox500T and Hardox450 double-layered steel plates under 7.62x51 mm FMJ bullet impact

Abstract

This work performed a nonlinear numerical analysis of Armox 500T and Hardox 450 armour steels, under ballistic conditions, validating the results via experimental data. The ballistic performance of seven distinct armour configurations were investigated, including monolithic, and double-layered armour steels. Ballistics tests were conducted using 7.62 full metal jacket bullets with a muzzle velocity of 837 ± 3.08 m/s, under the NIJ 0108.01 III protection level standard. Monolithic Armox 500T steel exhibited superiority over double-layer Armox 500T and Hardox 450 steels with regard to ballistic protection, weight, and cost-effectiveness. The fully perforated monolithic Armox 500T steel plate exhibited a reduced bullet exit velocity compared to Hardox 450 steel and produced a smaller exit hole for the bullet. Comprehensive finite element simulations of the ballistic impact events were conducted to elucidate the phenomena of defeat and penetration with greater precision.