T. L. Jones, M. Burkins, W. A. Gooch, US Army Research Laboratory, APG, MD; R. DeLorme, Magnesium Elektron North America, Inc., Madison, IL
Wrought magnesium alloys, which maintain various niche market applications due to their unique properties, have been the subject of a heightened level of research and development for potential application in the automotive market. However, little data is available on their ballistic properties. In order to fill this gap, the US Army Research Laboratory (ARL) and Magnesium Elektron North America, Incorporated (MENA) conducted a cooperative effort to evaluate magnesium alloy AZ31B, which was commercially available in a wrought form. MENA produced the rolled product and conducted the mechanical testing, while ARL performed the ballistic testing. Some limited ballistic data is provided for this alloy in both the H24 and O tempers.
Summary: Wrought magnesium alloys, which maintain various niche market applications due to their unique properties, have been the subject of a heightened level of research and development for potential application in the automotive market. However, little data is available on their ballistic properties. In order to fill this gap, the US Army Research Laboratory (ARL) and Magnesium Elektron North America, Incorporated (MENA) conducted a cooperative effort to evaluate magnesium alloy AZ31B, which was commercially available in a wrought form. MENA produced the rolled product and conducted the mechanical testing, while ARL performed the ballistic testing. Some limited ballistic data is provided for this alloy in both the H24 and O tempers.