Copper is the predominant metal used to form the penatrator in a shaped charge. Why aren’t other soft metals like lead used?
In: Engineering
Specifically why lead isn’t used: lead has a low melting point so at the point of contact, there is a good chance the metal would just melt and not penetrate the armor.
Copper is ductile enough to flow without truly melting. Its high heat conductivity allows it to get really hot extremely fast. Its ability to work harden is the most valuable property, though, as even as it’s flowing it can stay very hard.
Remember, we’re talking millions of PSI. Many materials act unintuitively at those pressures.
Testing.
Things that have for sure been in front of a shaped charge include:
Steel
Tin
Brass
Sintered Iron
Copper
Aluminum
Zinc
Cadmium
Nickel
Copper is the best. Zinc isn’t horrible. Steel ain’t great, but works.
Start research on shaped charge effect, the Munroe Effect and all the really old testing that went on. Almost nothing is classified, tons of stuff public domain.
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