Ballistic performance of monolithic rubber-ceramic composite armor

Abstract

This work presents the research results regarding the ballistic response characteristics of monolithic ceramic armors. Two different configurations of armors are considered for investigation, aiming at identifying ways to increase the ballistic performance of Small Arms Protective Insert (SAPI). The first configuration consists of a monolithic ceramic tile (Al2O3) with a backing plate made of high-performance Kevlar-29 fiber reinforced composite; the second one has the same design as the first, but the monolithic ceramic tile is covered by a thin rubber layer. The impact behavior of the ceramic composite armors is analyzed numerically, using the finite element method. Some characteristic features, including the ballistic performance and the fracture conoid angle (for the ceramic tile) are discussed. The numerical models developed for the two armor configurations are validated by ballistic tests, where the projectile impact on the armors and the mechanical integrity of the armor systems after impact are observed. The results from simulations and experiments show that the Al2O3/Kevlar 29 composite armor is able to capture a 7.62 mm bullet with a striking velocity of 690 m/s and the rubber-ceramic composite armor is able to capture 5.56 × 45 mm bullet M855 (with an armor piercing tip) with an impact velocity of 894 m/s. It has been found that, when a rubber layer is placed on the front face of a ceramic composite armor, better ballistic performance is achieved. The experiments show that, when a rubber material is impacted by a projectile, its behavior at high velocities and high strain rates changes from elastic to brittle.