Numerical Simulation Study on the Effect of the Wave Shaper on Shaped Charge Jet Formation in Centrally-Aperture Liners

To investigate the role of wave shapers in small-caliber shaped charges, the effects of aligning wave shaper parameters with those of center-holed liners on detonation product leakage and jet penetration performance were studied. Based on the regular oblique reflection theory of detonation waves, quantitative relationships between wave shaper parameters and detonation wave initial incident angles/pressure distributions at various positions on the liner surface were derived. Systematic analysis using LS-DYNA software was conducted to reveal the influence patterns of wave shaper diameter and height on jet formation and penetration performance. The results show that adding wave shapers to center-holed liners effectively increases the collapse pressure on the liner, suppresses detonation product leakage, enhances energy utilization efficiency, and improves jet penetration performance. Jet penetration capability initially increases and then decreases with the increasing wave shaper diameter. Wave shaper height exhibits a multi-extremum response effect on jet performance. The largest penetration depth of 158.17 mm into 45 steel targets was achieved with a wave shaper diameter of 6 mm and a height of 4 mm, representing a 17.21% improvement compared to structures without wave shapers. These findings offer valuable insights for designing small-caliber shaped charge warheads.