Effects of SiC particle reinforcement distribution on the penetration of functionally graded armour

The numerical simulation of penetration of a functionally graded armour made from Aluminum alloy reinforced by SiC particle was performed. The SiC particle volume fraction varies continuously along the armour thickness followed a power law. The four different armours with the same SiC particle volume fraction, but different distribution were investigated and compared with steel armour. The results show: the change of the distribution of SiC particle volume fraction along the armour thickness can increase the ability to resist a penetrator. While the SiC particle volume fraction is constant, the higher the SiC particle volume fraction in the surface is, the better the ability of the functionally graded armour against penetration is. The armour with f₀=0.8, b=4 show the best anti-penatrator ability among all the cases and it is even better than steel armour.