Pultruded composite frangible projectile or penetrator

Abstract

A composite penetrator or projectile is formed of a core of uniaxial tungsten wires embedded in a matrix material. The core may be overwrapped to improve hoop or radial strength. The core is mounted in a sabot for use as an ordnance projectile. The penetrator is frangible and can include a detonatable energetic resin to provide a self-destruct capability. A pultrusion process is provided to manufacture the penetrator.

1 . A composite penetrator comprising:
 a core comprising tungsten wires disposed uniaxially, the tungsten wires embedded in a matrix material, the uniaxial tungsten wires defining a longitudinal direction of the core;   an overwrapping over the core, the overwrapping comprising a filament winding wound in a hoop direction around the core at a wind angle of 90° or close to 90° to the longitudinal direction of the core to increase the transverse strength of the core; and   a sabot containing the core and the overwrapping.   
     
     
         2 . The penetrator of  claim 1 , wherein the matrix material comprises a detonatable energetic resin. 
     
     
         3 . The penetrator of  claim 1 , further comprising a pusher plate and a nose cap maintaining the core, a rod disposed through the core, and a detonatable energetic resin. 
     
     
         4 . The penetrator of  claim 1 , wherein the matrix material comprises a eutectic alloy. 
     
     
         5 . The penetrator of  claim 1 , wherein the matrix material comprises a Cerro alloy. 
     
     
         6 . The penetrator of  claim 1 , wherein the matrix material comprises a Woods metal. 
     
     
         7 . The penetrator of  claim 1 , wherein the matrix material comprises a lead-tin-bismuth alloy or a tin-bismuth alloy. 
     
     
         8 . The penetrator of  claim 1 , wherein the overwrapping is comprised of boron fibers. 
     
     
         9 . The penetrator of  claim 1 , wherein the overwrapping is comprised of graphite fibers. 
     
     
         10 . The penetrator of  claim 1 , further comprising boron fibers disposed uniaxially with the tungsten wires in the core. 
     
     
         11 . The penetrator of  claim 1 , further comprising graphite fibers disposed uniaxially with the tungsten wires in the core. 
     
     
         12 . A method of manufacturing the composite penetrator of  claim 1 , comprising:
 collimating a plurality of tungsten wires through a forming card in a desired layout;   wetting out the collimated tungsten wires with a matrix material;   pulling the tungsten wires through a pultrusion die for a selected time and at a selected temperature to form a pultruded length of composite material;   cutting the composite material into segments; and   mounting the segments into sabots.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising wetting out the collimated tungsten wires in a bath of resin. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the resin comprises a detonatable energetic resin. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising wetting out the collimated tungsten wires in a bath of a eutectic alloy. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising providing an overwrapping over the tungsten wires. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the overwrapping is wound over the pultruded length after exiting the pultrusion die. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the overwrapping is wound over the tungsten wires prior to entering the pultrusion die. 
     
     
         19 . The penetrator of  claim 1 , wherein the matrix material comprises a resinous material. 
     
     
         20 . The penetrator of  claim 1 , wherein the matrix material comprises a resinous material or a low-melt eutectic alloy.