Ballistic Performance of Laminated Composite with TiB<sub>2</sub> Based Ceramic to Ti-6Al-4V Alloy in Continuously-Graded Microstructure

Abstract

Laminated composite of TiB2 based ceramic to Ti-6Al-V alloy in graded microstructure were achieved by combustion synthesis in ultra-high gravity field. XRD and FESEM results showed the presence of the graded microstructures at the joint which was characterized by multilevel (TiC1-x-TiB-TiB2 + TiB2-Ti-TiC1-x-TiB + TiB2-TiC1-x-TiB-Ti + TiB-TiC1-x-Ti + TiC1-x-Ti) and multiscale (micro-submicro-nano) of the size and the distribution of TiB2 phases and TiB phases. It was considered that liquid fusion, atomic interdiffusion and a series of metallurgical reaction during solidification were reasoned for the continuously-graded microstructure from the ceramic to Ti alloy. Ballistic mass effectiveness coefficients of TiB2 based ceramic and the laminated composite with TiB2 based ceramic to Ti alloy were calculated to be 3.25 and 7.35 respectively by DOP test. The continuously-graded microstructures at the joint from the ceramic to Ti ally was considered to effectively reduce acoustic impedance mismatch between the ceramic and the metal, resulting in the enhanced ballistic performance of the target against the projectile by initiating intensive shear coupling effect.