Experimental investigation on metallic mesh bumper impacted by aluminum sphere

A two-stage light gas gun was used to launch 2017-T4 Al-sphere projectiles impacting metallic mesh bumper. The distribution characteristic of the secondary debris clouds caused by Al sphere impacting metallic mesh bumper was studied. The effect of diameter of Al sphere and braiding areal density of metallic mesh on the crater distribution on the witness wall were analyzed. The crater distribution patterns on the witness wall behind metallic mesh bumpers with different braiding parameters were obtained. The results indicate that a few of approximate symmetry crater clusters like palpus can be observed on witness wall behind mesh bumper. The number and length of crater clusters are different with different impact position on mesh bumper, at different impact velocity and with different areal density of metallic mesh. Under the same impact condition, when the mesh bumper is impacted at a blank center position, more crater clusters like palpus on witness wall will be caused.