Re: "Interesting" info about Depleted Uranium penetrators/HEAT rounds

From: Brian Trosko (btrosko_at_panix.com)
Date: 12/15/04 

Date: Wed, 15 Dec 2004 00:16:08 +0000 (UTC)

In sci.military.moderated Paul Saccani <traptinnedspicedham@hotmail.com> wrote:

> Long rod penetrators do indeed melt the armour in their path, and their tips
> ablate. The combination of molten metal etc... flows rapidly around the
> penetrator as it goes through, like mud around a drill string. So it is not
> like punching a hole in the manner of say, a familiar paper punch.

Naw, there's no melting involved. There's fluid/plastic deformation, but
that's the result of applying enormous pressure to a small area of the
armor, not the result of dumping enough energy into it to bring about a
phase change.

It's pretty much like pushing a screwdriver through a beer can, but on a
much shorter timescale.