Quantitative Gap Measurement in Ceramic Armor Arrays
Abstract
In order to reduce weight while maintaining ballistic performance, modern armored vehicles often use ceramic-based armor solutions. Ceramic solutions are typically made of a close-fitting periodic array of ceramic tiles, maintaining a specific gap dimension between the tiles. The gap separation distance is critical to the ballistic performance of the system and it is important to have a reliable means of quantitative inspection. This report presents results of a study of a non-destructive quantitative X-ray gap width measurement method commonly used to measure and inspect array gaps. It was found that this X-ray method gives a good portrayal of array quality and gap widths, but that gap measurement accuracy likely can be improved. The X-ray method was found to skew gap width measurements higher, between 2 and 20%, and was dependent on image blur. An X-ray system designed specifically for gap measurement will significantly improve measurement accuracy. Obtaining such a system is recommended, with digital X-ray radiography being the preferred path forward.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 2010
- Accession Number
- ADA528245
Entities
People
- Ashig A. Quabili
- R. J. Sciortino
- Renee Schoch
- Seth Ghiorse
- William E. Fallon
Organizations
- United States Army Research Laboratory