Jet formation mechanism of triple-layer liners in shaped charges

As the liner is the core component responsible for target penetration in shaped charge, developing novel liner technologies is critically important for enhancing the shaped charge’s damage effect. A multilayer liner, constructed by combining two or more materials with distinct physical properties—such as high density and high ductility—in a specific sequence, enables a more rational and functional utilization of liner materials. This paper presents a study on the theoretical model and analysis of the triple-layer liner (TLL) jet formation, with a systematic investigation of key parameters including the critical collapse velocity, collapse angle, jet velocity, jet diameter, and material distribution. Liner specimens were fabricated by cold spray (CS) , and the jet formation behavior was experimentally characterized using pulsed X-ray. Through the integration of theoretical analysis and numerical simulations, the mechanisms governing jet formation of the TLL were further elucidated. Results indicate that, at a fixed cone angle, the mass distribution of the TLL is the primary factor governing jet formation parameters. In particular, the mass fraction of the high-density material significantly affects both the jet parameters and the distribution of material within the jet. The theoretical model’s predictions show good agreement with the experimental results, corroborating the proposed model’s reliability.