DEVELOPMENT OF HEAT-TREATED COMPOSITE STEEL ARMOR
Abstract
A research program was conducted to develop and optimize lightweight heat-treatable composite steel armor for protection against cal 0.30 and 0.50 AP M2 projectiles. Metallurgical, mechanical, and ballistic evaluations of plate composites indicated that: (1) low-alloy (Ni-Cr-Mo) steels with about 0.55% C (front face) and 0.30% C (rear face) metallurgically bonded strongly in layer- thickness proportions of about 50% front-50% rear (cal 0.30 plates) or 40% front-60% rear (cal 0.50 plates) and heat-treated by quenching and tempering to hardnesses of about 60 R sub C (front) and 50 R sub C (rear) exhibited merit ratings of about 1.4; (2) higher merit ratings were obtained against cal 0.30 projectiles than against cal 0.50 projectiles; (3) higher merit ratings were obtained in production plates than in laboratory plates; (4) multilayer composites, although generally tougher, were no better than 2-layer composites in resistance to penetration by AP projectiles; and (5) a shear-compression specimen effectively measured the bond strength of dual-hardness steel plate composites. Seven production-size lots of roll-bonded dual-hardness steel armor have been made on existing facilities. Several large plates were supplied to AMRA.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 07, 1967
- Accession Number
- AD0383336
Entities
People
- George C. Carter
- Samuel J. Manganello
Organizations
- U.S. Steel