Experimental investigation on resist capability of stainless steel mesh/Al multi-shock shield by high-velocity impact

Stainless steel mesh/Al multi-shock shield was designed by improving Al Whipple shield, and a series of high-velocity impact experiments were conducted by a two-stage light gas gun facility. Impact velocities of Al-spheres varied between 3.93 km/s and 4.25 km/s. The diameter of projectiles was 6.35 mm. For the different shield configurations with the same stainless steel mesh, the same shield configurations with different stainless steel mesh and the filmed stainless steel mesh shield configurations, the structure and material factors affecting on performance of shield were analyzed. The results indicated that when the stainless steel mesh wall was located in the last wall site of the bumper, it could help dispersing debris clouds, reducing the damage of the rear wall. At the same time, when the stainless steel mesh wall was located in the first wall site of the bumper, it did not help comminuting and decelerating projectile. The mesh opening size, wire diameter and separation distance arrangement were the important factors to enhance the protection performance of shields. The filmed stainless steel mesh helped in weakening the kinetic energy of debris cloud.