Lightweight Armour Optimisation Studies
An ANSYS AUTODYN™ model of an armour-piercing bullet penetrating a ceramic-faced armour; the red zones indicate damage to the ceramic
SPONSOR: Various
SUMMARY: A ceramic-faced armour design usually consists of the hard disrupting face of the ceramic and some kind of absorbing element behind. The purpose of the ceramic is to induce fragmentation in the projectile or induce erosion thereby redirecting and dispersing the kinetic energy. The absorber on the other hand, acts to transfer the kinetic energy of the projectile to a lower form of energy – such as heat, through inelastic deformation (for example). Ceramics, are inherently brittle materials and consequently have fracture toughness (KIc) values in the 1-5 MPam½ range as opposed to the 5—170 MPam½ range for metals. Consequently, when a projectile impacts and penetrates the ceramic face, brittle failure ensues leading to extensive fragmentation of the tile. If the fragments are not retained in place then the multi-hit capability of the armour is compromised. Various research projects have been undertaken in recent years with the aim of optimising these ceramic-faced armour systems.
MORE INFORMATION:
Hazell PJ, Moutinho M, Roberson C, Moore N. The influence of tile size on the ballistic performance of a ceramic-faced polymer. In Franks LP, Salem J, Zhu D, editors, Advances in Ceramic Armor III, Ceramic Engineering and Science Proceedings, Vol. 28, Issue 5, pp. 19-27, (2008).
Hazell PJ, Donoghue SE, Roberson CJ, Gotts PL. The penetration of armour piercing projectiles through reaction bonded ceramics. In Swab JJ, Zhu D, Kriven WM, editors, Advances in Ceramic Armor. Ceramic Engineering and Science Proceedings, Vol 26, Issue 7, pp. 143-150, (2006).
Roberson CJ, Hazell PJ, Gotts PL, Pickup IM, Morrell R. The effective hardness of hot pressed boron carbide with increasing shock stress. In Swab JJ, Zhu D, Kriven WM, editors, Advances in Ceramic Armor. Ceramic Engineering and Science Proceedings, Vol 26, Issue 7, pp. 151-159, (2006).
Dr Paul J Hazell
T: +44 (0)1793 784195
E: p.j.hazell@cranfield.ac.uk
