Numerical and experimental study on forming characteristics of jet from nylon–water composite liner and its penetration performance on steel targets

Compared to traditional metal jets, shaped charge water jets offer the advantage of low-collateral-damage when destroying explosives. To investigate the forming characteristics and penetration performance of Nylon–Water Composite Jet (NWCJ), this study designed a 3D-printed Nylon–Water Composite Liner. Combining numerical simulation with experimental validation, the formation and penetration characteristics of polymer–liquid composite jets were studied. First, numerical simulations analyzed the forming characteristics and penetration performance of the nylon–water jet. Subsequently, the shaped charge was fabricated using selective laser sintering powder printing technology, overcoming the key technical challenge of solid–liquid coupling. Finally, static armor penetration tests validated the reliability of numerical simulations. Results indicate that compared to the Single Nylon Liner, the NWCJ exhibits significantly greater head expansion and higher velocity during the formation process. By regulating the water layer thickness, the NWCJ can effectively control penetration depth while maintaining hole-enlarging capability. The differing kinetic energy decay sequences of nylon and water reveal the penetration mechanism of polymer–liquid composites. This study provides guidance for designing polymer–liquid composite liner structures and enhances understanding of the formation and penetration of polymer–liquid composite jets under explosive loading.