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
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.
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