Ballistic performance evaluation of ceramic tiles with respect to projectile velocity against hard steel projectile using DOP test

Abstract

The effect of backing material, projectile velocity and tile thickness on the ballistic efficiency of ceramic materials was studied against 7.62 mm AP projectile in depth of penetration (DOP) test configuration. An analysis on variation in differential efficiency factor (DEF) with respect to backing material was carried out. The factor responsible for variation in DEF was eliminated using a normalization method. A new definition (NDEF/ NBE) is proposed for calculation of ballistic efficiency. Using the new definition a comparison of ballistic efficiency of hot pressed boron carbide, alumina and zirconia toughened alumina were done for different projectile velocities and tile thickness. The DEF was found to increase with increase in projectile velocity, but NDEF and NBE were found to decrease with increase in projectile velocities. Even though the DEF, NDEF and NBE have produced different ballistic efficiencies they all have produced similar trends with respect to tile thickness.