Properties of extruded polymers are strongly affected by molecular structure. For two different semi-crystalline polymers, low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), this investigation measures the elastic modulus, plastic flow stress and strain-rate dependence of yield stress. Also, it examines the effect of molecular structure on post-necking tensile fracture. The static and dynamic material tests reveal that extruded UHMWPE has a somewhat larger yield stress and much larger strain to failure than LDPE. For both types of polyethylene, the strain at tensile failure decreases with increasing strain-rate. For strain-rates 0.001–3400 s⁻¹, the yield stress variation is accurately represented by the Cowper–Symonds equation. These results indicate that, at high strain rates, UHMWPE is more energy absorbent than LDPE as a result of its long chain molecular structure with few branches.

A hyper-viscoelastic constitutive model for polyurea by separating hyperelastic and viscoelastic behaviors has been put forward. Hyperelasticity represents the rate-independent responses at low strain rates, described by a three-parameter Mooney-Rivlin model and a third Ogden model. By fitting the quasi-static experimental data, the Ogden model is more appropriate to describe the hyperelastic behaviors for its better agreement at strain over 0.3. Meanwhile, viscoelasticity represents the rate-dependent responses at high strain rates, described by the Standard Linear Solids (SLS) model and the K-BKZ model. By fitting the experimental data of split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB), the SLS model is more appropriate to describe the viscoelastic behaviors at strain rates below 1600 s⁻¹, but the K-BKZ model performs better at strain rates over 2100 s⁻¹ because of the substantial increase of Young’s modulus and the state of polyurea transforming from rubbery to glassy. The K-BKZ model is chosen to describe the viscoelastic behavior, for its low Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) at strain rates below 1600 s⁻¹. From the discussion above, the hyper-viscoelastic constitutive model is chosen to be the combination of the Ogden model and the K-BKZ model.

In this paper, a novel linear shaped charge (LSC), called a bi-apex-angle linear shaped charge (BLSC), has been designed to investigate the improvement of penetration performance. Compared with a traditional single-apex-angle LSC, a BLSC, which consists of a small-apex-angle liner and a large-apex-angle liner, has been investigated by depth-of-penetration (DOP) test. The results show that the penetration depth of BLSC is 29.72% better than that of an ordinary LSC. An Eulerian method is applied to simulate the entire process of jet formation, as well as penetration on a #45 steel target. The effectiveness of the Eulerian model is demonstrated by the good agreement of the computational results with experimental observations. Furthermore, the numerical simulation is developed to investigate the influence of liner thickness, explosive type, combination of small and large apex angle, ratio of small to all apex angle liner, and standoff distance on the penetration performance of BLSCs. The suggested work and results can provide a guide and reference for the structural design of BLSC.