Abstract:
WC-based ceramic metal composites (cermets) are of great importance in both
armor and munition design due to the combination of properties imparted by the
presence of two different phases. WC–Co cermets are of interest in this area due
to the hardness and strength imparted by the WC phase while the cementing Co
matrix acts to increase plasticity and toughness. Here the dynamic response of
G13 WC–Co manufactured by Kennametal Engineered Products B.V. was studied via a
series of plate impact experiments involving both longitudinal and lateral
gauges, which allowed determination of the Us−Up relationship, measurement of a
Hugoniot elastic limit of 3.3±0.2 GPa, measurement of a spall strength of 4.38
GPa, and an investigation of the stress dependence of shear strength in such a
strong