Abstract

A novel approach of a gas pressure infiltration technique is presented for the synthesis of Co-Continuous Ceramic Composite (C4). SiC foams of varying pore sizes were infiltrated with aluminium AA5083. Optical examination revealed that the SiC foams contained open cells with a network of triangular voids. The number of pores-per-inch (PPI) in the foams was found to depend on the strut thickness and pore diameter. The compressive strengths of two foam configurations, 10 and 20 PPI, were estimated to lie between 1–2 MPa. After infiltration, the compressive yield strength of the resulting C4 was observed to increase to 126 MPa and 120 MPa, respectively, for the 10 and 20 PPI C4. Additionally, the infiltration of ceramic foam with the AA5083 alloy resulted in an increase in strength of 58–100 times when compared with plain ceramic foam. The failure modes of the composites in compression were analyzed by crack propagation and determining the type of failure. The study revealed that shear failure and vertical splitting were the predominant mechanisms of compression failure, and that the fabricated C4 is advantageous in mechanical properties compared to the plain ceramic foam. This study, therefore, suggests the use of C4 composites in armour applications.

Highlights

  • Published: 20 January 2022Ballistic protection systems such as armour generally consist of several layers of materials

  • A hard material such as ceramic is positioned on the front striking face and a matrix composite or high strength steel is placed as the backing face

  • Ballistic protection plates composed of ceramic sticking face with polymer matrix composite (PMC) back plates have been extensively explored and proven for typical ballistic impact conditions

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Summary

Introduction

Published: 20 January 2022Ballistic protection systems such as armour generally consist of several layers of materials. A hard material such as ceramic is positioned on the front striking face and a matrix composite or high strength steel is placed as the backing face. The front face plate retards the striking force of the projectile by actions such as tumble, erosion, and fracture, whereas the backing material absorbs the residual kinetic energy of the projectile to bring the fragments to rest [3,4]. Ballistic protection plates composed of ceramic sticking face with polymer matrix composite (PMC) back plates have been extensively explored and proven for typical ballistic impact conditions. The abrasion resistance and hardness of the ceramic front face enables it to blunt the approaching projectile and absorb its energy to reduce the impact hazard. Poor ductility limits its potential to take multiple hits

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