The Influence of Armour PVD Coating on the Projectiles Ricochet Capability during the Inclined Impact

Abstract

In the article the possibility to increase capability of the ricochet of armour-piercing projectiles by application of a thin layer on the frontal surface of the armour with the Physical Vapour Deposition (PVD) method was carried out. The armours were made of the ARMOX 500T steel plates and were placed at various angles of inclination in relation to the initial flight path of the impacting projectile. The aim was to find the angle of inclination of the armour at which the penetration process changes from perforation to ricochet. Seven types of surface layers made of high-strength materials such as Ti, TiN, Al2O3, CrN were analysed. Results showed that the ricochet capability of the plates with and without the PVD coating is similar but the mechanisms of projectile-armour interaction are different.