A Novel Multi-Scale Ceramic-Based Array (SiCb+B₄C_p)/7075Al as Promising Materials for Armor Structure.

Traditional armor systems often fail due to ceramic panel collapse under impact. Prior research has shown that ceramic materials can absorb energy but are prone to fracture. This gap motivated the development of new composite structures. Current armor designs rely on monolithic ceramic panels, which may not distribute stress efficiently. No prior work had resolved how to integrate ceramic units into a matrix to enhance performance. Researchers have explored ceramic arrays to improve resistance, but results remain inconsistent. The key challenge lies in balancing structural integrity and energy absorption. This paper introduces a multi-scale ceramic-based aluminum composite to address these issues.

The aim is to develop a novel composite armor material using multi-scale ceramic reinforcement. This approach seeks to improve resistance to projectile penetration. The study focuses on a composite containing both centimeter-scale SiC balls and micron-scale B4C particles. The motivation stems from the need for better stress distribution in armor systems. The researchers designed three different ceramic array layouts for testing. Each layout was fabricated using pressure infiltration techniques. The goal is to evaluate how ceramic arrangement affects ballistic performance. This work contributes to the development of more durable and efficient armor structures.

The study utilized pressure infiltration to embed ceramic units into an aluminum matrix. Three distinct ceramic layouts were fabricated for comparison. The first layout featured compact balls in the front panel (F-C). The second layout used non-compact balls in the front panel (F-NC). The third layout placed compact balls inside the target (I-C). Ballistic tests were conducted using a 12.7 mm armor-piercing incendiary round. Finite element simulations were performed to analyze stress distribution. The researchers examined internal bonding and structural integrity. Each sample was tested for penetration resistance and damage patterns.

The F-NC structure showed the best resistance to projectile penetration. It exhibited minimal overall damage compared to other layouts. The I-C structure suffered the most severe damage and spalling. The F-C layout performed moderately but not as well as F-NC. The ceramic balls were well-bonded with the aluminum matrix. No significant internal defects were observed in the composites. Simulations revealed that ceramic balls contribute to projectile erosion. In the non-compact structure, stress was effectively dispersed between ceramic units. This dispersion reduced direct contact and improved erosion efficiency. The supporting material thickness was found to be essential for preventing spalling.

The non-compact ceramic ball layout (F-NC) demonstrated superior ballistic performance. The composite structure effectively dispersed stress and reduced damage. The ceramic balls played a major role in projectile erosion. Stress wave transmission was mitigated by sufficient supporting material. The multi-scale composite offers valuable insights for future armor design. The results suggest that ceramic array layout significantly affects performance. This approach may lead to more durable anti-penetration armor. The study supports the development of advanced composite materials for military applications.