LAV Armor Plate Study

Abstract

This study was undertaken to determine the cause of cracking in high hard armor steel plates used in the manufacture of light armored vehicles (LAVs) and to make recommendations to alleviate the problem. Cracks in several components from fielded vehicles were analyzed. In many cases the cracking was found to be caused by improper edge preparation in cutting the steel which resulted in environmentally-assisted cracking. Cracks were also observed starting from welds which were attributed to a number of possible causes: stress-corrosion cracking, hydrogen-assisted cold cracking, and cracking due to extremely harsh vehicle use. Base metal mechanical properties, including hardness, tensile strength, and Charpy V-notch impact energy were measured from room temperature to -40 deg F (-40 deg C). Ballistic properties were measured and the propensity of the steel to crack under ballistic impact conditions was also evaluated. Additionally, the study involved a review of MIL-A-46100 and the new Canadian Material Specification, CMS-18. Steel armor, Welding, High hardness armor, Mechanical properties Light armored vehicles (LAV), Cracking.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 01, 1992
Accession Number
ADA257674

Entities

People

  • Jonathan S. Montgomery
  • Martin G. Wells
  • Rebecca K. Weiss
  • Thomas G. Melvin

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Armor Plate
  • Armored Vehicles
  • Base Metal
  • Chemical Analysis
  • Engineering
  • Heat Treatment
  • Light Armored Vehicles
  • Low Temperature
  • Materials
  • Materials Science
  • Mechanical Properties
  • Mechanical Working
  • Metals
  • Military Research
  • Tensile Properties
  • Tensile Strength

Fields of Study

  • Materials science

Readers

  • Materials Science (Mechanical Engineering).
  • Metallurgy
  • Military Science