Investigation of Impact Resistance in Novel TWIP Steel/Ceramic Composite Structures

To augment the ballistic protection capabilities of armor systems, an investigation into the impact resistance of composite structures comprising silicon carbide ceramics and novel twinning-induced plasticity (TWIP) steel has been undertaken. Employing a light gas gun for experimental impact testing, alongside microstructural characterization and numerical simulation, the study focused on the spall strength, deformation mechanisms, and damage characteristics of the ceramic-TWIP steel composite under high-velocity impact loading. The experimental outcomes revealed that the composite structure demonstrated a 22.76% enhancement in spall strength and a 7.09% increment in strain rate response compared to the pristine TWIP steel. The composite structure exhibited reduced spallation, diminished crack propagation, and a lower incidence of micro-voids, indicative of superior impact resistance performance. Microscopic analysis has unveiled the damage mechanisms of materials under impact loading, including the formation, aggregation of micro-pores, and the initiation of primary cracks. Numerical simulations using LS/DYNA were conducted to research the impact resistance of such composite structures, with experimental results validating the accuracy of the models. Stress distributions at various moments during the impact process were analyzed numerically, and the critical impact velocity for crack steel properties on the impact resistance of the composite structure. This research provides an important theoretical foundation for the application of these novel metal/ceramic composite structures in the field of impact protection.