Evaluation of Methods to Increase the Ballistic Efficiency of Alumina Face Plates for Alumina/Glass-Reinforced Plastic Composite Armor Systems.
Abstract
Several techniques to increase the ballistic efficiency of the alumina composite armors have been experimented with. Attempts to decrease the weight or density of the alumina by introducing a measure of porosity resulted in a degradation of the ballistic efficiency. Significant increases in the flexural strength of the alumina facing were achieved through chemical strengthening of the material; but these increases had little or no effect on the ballistic resistance of the alumina composites. Metallic interlayers of high impedance placed between ceramic and backup to reflect the stress wave as a compressive wave from the back of the ceramic offered no advantage, either, and the same was true of additions of manganese to the original alumina blend to inhibit grain growth and produce better grain boundaries and increased abrasion resistance. Other methods such as reduced thermal anisotropy to reduce internal stresses, or techniques to distribute the compressive stress on impact throughout a greater thickness of ceramic by a method termed 'exchange casting' are fairly new concepts and may warrant further investigation. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1970
- Accession Number
- AD0864772
Entities
People
- C. Bohan
- J. Gulbierz
Organizations
- Picatinny Arsenal