Microstructurally Informed Modelling of Metal Fragmentation

Metal components subject to high rates of deformation can fail catastrophically by fragmentation. Understanding and predicting this fragmentation process is critical to protecting structures and people from the damage it can cause. This has applications including defence and space.

This project will involve developing better models for fragmentation of metals that include a consideration of the structure at the micro-scale, linking this to fragment formation at the macro-scale. This will build on work in crystal plasticity modelling at Manchester using the DAMASK framework. The models will be informed by advanced characterization of the microstructures of relevant alloys using electron microscopy. Validation will be performed through trials with the project partner, including full-scale field tests.

The work is supported by DSTL, an executive agency of the Ministry of Defence whose goal is to maximise the impact of science and technology for the defence and security of the UK. The project will involve working in collaboration with expert DSTL scientists.