Can a 50 Caliber Bullet Penetrate a Pure Diamond Plate from 50 Yards Away?

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SUMMARY

A pure diamond plate, even when cut to a thickness suitable for penetration, is unlikely to withstand a shot from a standard .50 caliber bullet fired from 50 yards. The discussion highlights that while diamond is the hardest known natural material, it lacks toughness, making it susceptible to shattering upon impact. Historical examples illustrate that diamonds can be easily damaged by blunt force, reinforcing the notion that hardness does not equate to durability. Therefore, the effectiveness of a .50 caliber bullet against diamond depends more on the material's brittleness than its hardness.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of material properties, specifically hardness and toughness.
  • Knowledge of ballistic physics, particularly the impact of .50 caliber ammunition.
  • Familiarity with the characteristics of diamond as a material.
  • Basic comprehension of projectile motion and distance effects on bullet performance.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the mechanical properties of diamond, focusing on hardness versus toughness.
  • Study the various types of .50 caliber bullets and their ballistic performance at different distances.
  • Explore the effects of impact forces on brittle materials.
  • Investigate historical instances of diamond damage and the misconceptions surrounding its durability.
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for materials scientists, ballistics experts, and anyone interested in the physical properties of gemstones and their interactions with high-velocity projectiles.

Planetx
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How thin would a pure diamond plate have to be cut for a bullet to penetrate or fracture the plate if shot from a 50 yard distance? (assuming it is a spot on shot and the plate is octagonal and 15 cm across, and the bullet being a standard 50 caliber round.)
 
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There are many kinds of fifty caliber bullets, having a wide variety impacts at 50 yards. I don't thing that it would make much difference, though. Diamond, while extremely hard, in not very "tough". You can shatter a ring diamond just by knocking it against a sink faucet. Throughout the ages, thousands of real diamonds have been destroyed by ignorant pillagers hitting them with hammers or the like under the impression that a diamond is as tough as it is hard. It's not. Jade is tougher than diamond, but much softer.
 
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Thanks mate.
 

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