Ballistic prediction of ceramic armor backed by thin metal plate against threats of small and medium‐calibers

Abstract

AbstractBased on the principle of energy balance, a new analytical model is established to estimate the ballistic performance of ceramic‐faced armor against small and medium‐caliber projectiles. The energy consumption of ceramic is described as the product of compressive strength and erosion volume of ceramic. Despite its simple form, it represents the main response characteristic of ceramic erosion. Moreover, considering the dependence of the fracture cone half‐angle on the ceramic/metal thickness ratio and projectile velocity, one has innovatively incorporated them in the present model to predict reasonably the half‐angle evolution. To further simplify the analytical calculation and facilitate its application, an explicit prediction formula of the central deflection on thin metal plate is adopted. Then, the accuracy of analytical prediction has been carefully checked with the ballistic test data of small and medium‐caliber projectiles to penetrate light ceramic‐faced armor. The satisfactory consistency between the experimental and analytical results has confirmed the validity of the present model. It is therefore expected to be a powerful tool for the optimal design of new ceramic‐faced armor.