Ceramic Panels Research Articles

Penetration resistance of Al2O3 ceramic-ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) composite armor: Experimental and numerical investigations

To enhance the protective performance of ceramic composite armor, ballistic penetration experiments were conducted on Al2O3 ceramic-ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) composite armor with different thickness configurations. The damage and failure modes of hard projectiles and ceramic-fiber composite targets were analyzed. The recovered projectiles and ceramic fragments were sieved and weighed at multiple stages, revealing a positive correlation between the degree of fragmentation of the projectiles and ceramics and the overall ballistic resistance of the composite targets. Numerical simulations were performed using the LS-DYNA finite element software, and the simulation results showed high consistency with the experimental results, confirming the validity of the material parameters. The results indicate that the projectile heads primarily exhibited crushing and abrasive fragmentation. Larger projectile fragments mainly resulted from tensile and shear stress-induced failure. The failure modes of the composite targets included the formation of ceramic cones and radial cracks under high-velocity impacts. The UHMWPE laminated plates exhibited interlayer separation caused by tensile waves, permanent plastic deformation of the rear surface bulging, and perforation failure primarily due to shear forces.Through extended numerical simulations, while maintaining the same areal density and configuration of 9 mm Al2O3 ceramic + 12 mm UHMWPE laminated composite armor, the thickness configurations of the Al2O3 ceramic and UHMWPE laminated backplates were varied, and various thicknesses of UHMWPE laminates were simulated as the cover layer for the ceramic panels. The simulation results indicated that the composite armor configuration of 10 mm Al2O3 ceramic + 8 mm UHMWPE composite armor increased energy absorption by 13.48 %. When altering the cover layer thickness, a 4 mm UHMWPE + 9 mm Al2O3 + 8 mm UHMWPE composite armor demonstrated a 27.11 % improvement in energy absorption, showing a relatively significant enhancement.

Digital precision in engineered ceramics: Tailoring toughness and flexibility through interlocking strategies

Precise material architectures and interfaces can render conventional ceramics tough, deformable and damage-resistant, offering a wide range of possibilities beyond those provided by conventional ones. This study explores the mechanical properties of topologically interlocked ceramic panels by systematically varying architectural parameters (i.e., interlocking angles and building block sizes) using a combination of experimental testing and finite element modeling based on COMSOL Multiphysics®. Three distinct designs were fabricated using digital laser manufacturing, categorized as designs with constant interlocking angles and tile sizes, constant interlocking angles and variable tile sizes, and variable interlocking angles and tile sizes and subjected them to out-of-plane quasi-static loads. The results show substantial enhancements in toughness (up to 110%) and strength (up to 120%) for ceramics with varying building block sizes, compared to those with constant block sizes. Additionally, these ceramics exhibit increased flexibility (up to 130%) compared to plain ceramics. Larger interlocking angles contribute to superior mechanical properties, fostering increased energy absorption and stability. The study also investigates post-failure behavior, revealing that increasing length ratios consistently augment the energy absorption. This research highlights the potential of these materials for flexible protection and the importance of controlling architectural parameters based on the interlocking angle and building block size to optimize performance while minimizing damage.

The impact of backplate support conditions on ceramic fracture and energy absorption in the penetration resistance process of ceramic/metal composite armor

As the backing plate conditions significantly affect the ballistic performance of ceramic/metal composite armor, we have conducted impact experiments using 12.7 mm API projectiles (brittle-hard) to examine the influence of different material characteristics of metal backing plates on the ballistic impact performance of ceramic/metal composite armor. By weighing multilevel sieved fragments and employing the Rosin-Rammler fragment distribution model, we analyzed the influence of backing plate material parameters on the fragment size distribution patterns of the penetrator and ceramic panel. Further, we utilized numerical simulations to explore the impact of backing plate density, Young's modulus, and yield strength on ceramic fracture and energy absorption during penetration. Overall, a high-density backing plate provides better inertial support. Backing materials with a high Young's modulus can enhance the ballistic performance of the ceramic composite target, but there is a limit to this effect. The yield strength of the backing plate is not necessarily better when higher; instead, there is an optimal value. Either too high or too low yield strength can reduce the energy absorption efficiency of the ceramic.

Effects of porosity on effective thermal conductivities of thermal insulation SiC sandwich panels with Schoen-gyroid structure

Additive-manufactured silicon carbide (SiC) ceramic panels with triple periodic minimal surfaces (TPMSs) have proven to be efficient thermal insulation structures, particularly under extremely high-temperature conditions. In this study, the Schoen-gyroid structure is investigated, and a theoretical prediction model is developed to achieve a higher effective thermal conductivity of SiC TPMS using a combination of the net heat flow method and Monte Carlo method. The effects of porosity are compared based on the calculated effective thermal conductivities of these SiC TPMS structures. The research reveals that the effective thermal conductivity of SiC TPMS structures is dependent on the porosity level, and the layered structure of additive manufacturing results in high emissivity. A comparison of the porosities ranging from 40 % to 90 % reveals that the porosity rate of the 40 % structure demonstrates better heat dissipation performance. The simulation results of the effective thermal conductivity of the TPMS with a porosity rate of 40 % using the Schoen-gyroid structure confirm the consistency with the experimental measurements.

Experimental studies of the thermal regime of the premise while using heating ceramic panels

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A review of armour's use of composite materials

Composites with a laminated structure come from stacking ceramic and metal in a particular order. Because of their high strength and hardness, low density of ceramics, and extraordinary flexibility, metals can be used as bulletproof armour. The bullet anti-penetration system includes a ceramic screen that slows down the projectile and splits it up and a metal backplate that plastically deforms to absorb the projectile's kinetic energy. Laminates have several downsides, including weak interface bonding, a tendency for tip cracks due to increased internal stress, and a jarring difference between the metal and ceramic properties. Crack migration and propagation can cause abrupt changes in material characteristics at the ceramic–metal contact. A drop between the ceramic panel and metal backplate can be easily triggered when a ceramic panel is impacted, as cracks form in the interlayer. In this area, the interface bonding strength is still inadequate. In this review, we looked at the meshless smoothed-particle hydrodynamic method for high-velocity impact and massive deformation, the finite-element simulations of interface impact resistance and the first-principles predictions of interface strength. The paper concludes with numerous suggestions for future improvement: Further study is required on ceramic toughening to increase the compatibility of ceramic panels and metal backplates, the performance transition between ceramic and metal, and the reliability of ceramic–metal laminated materials. It is critical to study ways to strengthen metals. More multiscale research using methods like the phase-field method, finite element analysis, and first-principles computations, focusing on how to mix these techniques naturally and successfully, is needed to reinforce metals by introducing nano-phases into metal matrix composites while still retaining the metal's ductility. The latest study that emphasises the potential advantages of hybrid materials, specifically the combination of aramid and kenaf fibres, highlights a notable progression in the domain of armour technology.

A Novel Multi-Scale Ceramic-Based Array (SiCb+B4Cp)/7075Al as Promising Materials for Armor Structure.

Ceramic panel collapse will easily lead to the failure of traditional targets. One strategy to solve this problem is to use separate ceramic units as armor panels. Based on this idea, we propose an aluminum matrix composite using pressure infiltration, containing an array of ceramic balls, the reinforcement of which consists of centimeter-scale SiC balls and micron-scale B4C particles. Three different array layouts were designed and fabricated: compact balls in the front panel (F-C), non-compact balls in the front panel (F-NC), and compact balls inside the target (I-C). The penetration resistance properties were tested using a 12.7 mm armor-piercing incendiary (API). The results show that there are no significant internal defects, and the ceramic balls are well-bonded with the matrix composite. The F-NC structure behaves the best penetration resistance with minimal overall damage; the I-C structure has a large area of spalling and the most serious damage. Finite element simulation reveals that the ceramic balls play a major role in projectile erosion; in the non-compact structure, the composite materials between the ceramic balls can effectively disperse the stress, thereby avoiding the damage caused by direct contact between ceramic balls and improving the efficiency of ceramic ball erosion projectiles. Furthermore, it is essential to have a certain thickness of supporting materials to prevent spalling failure caused by stress wave transmission during penetration. This multi-scale composite exhibits excellent ballistic performance, providing valuable insights for developing anti-penetration composite armor in future applications.

Preparation and application of foamed ceramic panels in interior design

Abstract A new type of foam ceramics was prepared with fly ash (CFA). Before sintering, the CFA underwent alkali activation, resulting in an even layer of hydroxy sodalite crystals covering the CFA particles. The pre-treatment of the CFA-alkali-activated material caused it to exhibit a reaction in sintering. The foamed ceramics had the best qualities when sintered at 1,300°C; the leaching toxicity studies of a material used in interior design revealed that during sintering.

Numerical Simulation of Anti-penetration Performance of Ceramic/Aramid Fiber/PE-UHMW Composite Armor

In order to study the anti-penetration performance of ceramic/aramid fiber/PE-UHMW composite armor, based on the FEM-SPH coupling algorithm, SPH model is established for brittle ceramic materials to simulate the formation of ceramic cone, crack propagation and fragmentation splash process. The failure mode on aramid fiber and PE-UHMW is analyzed. The influence of different projectile velocities and impact points on the anti-penetration performance of the composite armor are analyzed. The results show that the ceramic panel in the composite armor absorbs part of the kinetic energy of the projectile through passivation, fragmentation of the projectile and panel fragmentation. The failure modes of aramid laminates are mainly delamination shear failure, bending deformation and fiber tensile fracture. The failure modes of PE-UHMW laminates are mainly compression shear failure of the projectile facing surface and small-scale delamination tensile failure of the back layer fiber. When the projectile velocity is less than the ballistic limit, the energy absorption of composite armor and the maximum deformation of back plate increase with the increase of projectile velocity. When the projectile velocity is greater than the ballistic limit, the energy absorption rate of composite armor begins to decrease. When the impact point of the projectile is located at the edge of the ceramic block, the ceramic can’t effectively consume the kinetic energy of the projectile, and the composite armor presents bad performance.

The anti-explosion performance of ceramic/high-strength steel composite protective structures

Ceramic composite structures are important in developing lightweight protection applications. Designers primarily design for armor-piercing threats. However, it is difficult to avoid the threat of high explosives or improvised explosive devices on the battlefield. In this work, three ceramic composite structures with different type and thickness of the ceramic panel were assessed by explosion test and finite element modelling to study their damage and failure characteristics. The ceramic composite structures exhibit good wave weakening ability. The type of ceramic does not change the anti-explosion performance of the composite structure when the surface density is similar, but the two kinds of ceramics show different damage and fracture mechanisms. Specifically, intergranular fracture mainly occurs in the alumina ceramic, whereas transgranular fracture mainly occurs in the SiC ceramic. In all cases, the back plate made of high strength steel undergoes plastic deformation and the ceramic panel is fragmented in response to the explosive impact, and the size of ceramic fragments increases from the center to the boundary of the ceramic panel.

Residual Strength Analysis of C/SiC Ceramic Matrix Composite Panels Subjected to Combined Thermal-Acoustic Loadings

A study was undertaken to develop a methodology for assessing the residual strength of C/SiC ceramic matrix composite panels subjected to combined thermal-acoustic loadings. A 2D plain-woven C/SiC ceramic matrix composite panel subjected to spatially uniform thermal loading and band-limited Gaussian white noise is chosen as the computational test article, with its geometric nonlinear response determined via numerical simulation. As the input, the material properties (static strength, residual strength, and fatigue life) of this material are fully characterized under tensile and compression loads, for fiber direction at elevated temperature in static and fatigue loading conditions. Based on the methodology, a computer code is developed that simulates the cycle-by-cycle behavior of composite panels under fatigue loadings. The methodology is validated with the residual strength test of 2D plain-woven C/SiC composite panel subjected to combined thermal-acoustic loadings. It has been shown that the results of residual strength predicted by the methodology are well correlated with the experimental results.

Analysis of the influence of different constraints on the ballistic performance of B4C/C/UHMWPE composite armor

A lightweight composite armor system composed of boron carbide (B4C) ceramic panels, carbon-fiber interlayer, and ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) backplate has been widely used. This study aims to explore the effect of different constraint conditions on the ballistic resistance of lightweight composite armor. Thus, ballistic experiments of 12.7 mm armor-piercing incendiary (API) projectiles impacting armor targets under different constraint conditions are designed, and numerical simulations are performed to simulate the structural impact response of composite armor. A satisfied consistency is revealed by comparing the numerical results and the ballistic experimental results. Besides, the numerical simulation method is used to research the influence of the distance between the impact point and the constraint conditions on the ballistic performance of the composite armor. The results demonstrate that the ballistic performance of the composite armor is better if the impact point is farther from the constraint conditions as this can enhance the flexibility of composite armor. In conclusion, the flexibility of the constraint conditions is positively correlated with the ballistic performance of B4C/C/UHMWPE composite armor. This conclusion provides a guideline for the design and application of composite armor.

Lightweight Design and Experimental Study of Ceramic Composite Armor

Ceramic/fiber composite armor is a hot research topic of bulletproof equipment. The lightweight design of ceramic materials and structures has attracted much attention. In this work, in the light of the remarkable performance of ceramic against elastic and oblique penetration, a novel honeycomb ceramic panel with a hexagonal prism and spherical body was designed. The splicing ceramic/fiber composite plate was bonded with a PE plate. The splicing ceramic/fiber composite was prepared, and the target test of the composite was conducted. The results show that the bulletproof performance of the hexagonal prism spherical crown ceramic/fiber composite plate is better than that of the conventional ceramic/fiber composite plate of the same thickness. The honeycomb spherical crown structure of the ceramic surface can convert the nominal forward penetration into the actual oblique penetration. This surface structure provides an effective lightweight design of ceramic/fiber composite armor.

Study of Impact Characteristics of ZrO2 Ceramic Composite Projectiles on Ceramic Composite Armor.

Exploring new armor-piercing materials is crucial for improving the penetrative ability of projectiles. Based on the process of in situ solidification injection molding through ceramic dispersant hydrolytic degradation, a ZrO2 ceramic material suitable for use as the tip of a 12.7 mm kinetic energy (KE) projectile was prepared. The ZrO2 ceramic tip can be matched with the metal core of a conventional projectile to form a ceramic composite projectile, increasing the damage to the Al2O3 ceramic composite armor. Specifically, the ZrO2 ceramic tip can increase the impact load on the Al2O3 ceramic panel, prolonging the pre-damage phase and reducing the stable penetration phase, shortening the mass erosion time of the metal core compared with a 12.7 mm metal KE projectile tip. The ceramic composite projectile with the ZrO2 ceramic tip has a lower critical penetration velocity than a 12.7 mm metal KE projectile for Al2O3 ceramic composite armor. Furthermore, the residual velocity, residual length, and residual mass of the metal core of the ceramic composite projectile that penetrated the Al2O3 ceramic composite armor are greater than those of a 12.7 mm metal KE projectile.

ADA RYBACHUK AND VOLODYMYR MELNICHENKO: THE CYCLE “THE BRONZE IMAGES IN THE WORLD SPACE” AS A WORLDVIEW AND OBJECTIVE SYSTEM

The article examines the place and the meaning of the sculptural cycle «The Bronze Images in the World Space» in the artistic works of the prominent Ukrainians, nonconformist artists Ada Rybachuk and Volodymyr Melnichenko. Their artistic destiny, during the Soviet period, was dramatic due to the powerful creativity. The article follows the stages of the formation and the establishment of the cycle, its problematic, its historic milestones and gradual transformation into a number of artistic works. The study defines their ideological, informative, imaginative, thematic, technique and technological properties. The analyzed works of art, which characterize different purpose, location, formal and technological execution, imaginative and ideological direction, testify that the indicated cycle with all its diversity represents a complete worldview and objective system as an interaction and a set of disparate interrelated elements. One side of the interactions was extroverted – towards the external environment, the other – introverted, towards the personality of the artist. The specified system consists of paintings of a monumental nature (ceramic wall and floor compositions, column decoration), works of easel art (ceramic panels, paintings), works of fine plastic (plates and bowls) of a decorative nature and utilitarian purpose. All together, they visualize the worldview of artists, in which specific impressions and ideas grow into works of art that are diverse in content and character. Embodied in artistic forms, themes and ideas, «Bronze Images in the World Space» testify to the artists’ understanding of the natural Cosmos in the kaleidoscopic nature of events and the variability of solutions. The article summarizes that the creative work of Ada Rybachuk and Volodymyr Melnichenko needs further scientific study as an example of versatility, artistic diversi ty and creative will.

The effect of manufacturing parameters on various composite plates under ballistic impact

In this study, the usability of several composite plates in level III and level IV body armors were examined, along with the ballistic resistance, protection level, and production parameters of each plate. For level III protection, composite panels are made using the heat pressing method under various pressures, and for level IV composites, ceramic plates of various thicknesses are reinforced on the back with various composite materials. Ballistic tests using the NIJ standards were performed on the created composite panels. There were delaminations between the layers as a result of the ballistic test in the level III protective panels produced at 140 bar pressure, but there was no puncture in the panels produced at 250 bar pressure, and the depth of trauma was reduced to a minimum. These observations were made using samples produced at 90 bar pressure under controlled conditions. Level IV panels were subjected to dry and wet ballistic tests, and the results of these tests showed that K-flex reinforced ceramics were impervious to punctures. It has been found that aramid-reinforced epoxy ceramic panels and UD H62 reinforced ceramics have superior ballistic qualities and are 6% lighter.

Calculation of Gas Infrared Burners for Soil and Substrate Disinfection in Protected Ground

A gas infrared burner was first developed in 1933 in Germany for the conversion of gas combustion energy into thermal energy of infrared radiation. The design of the gas infrared burner includes a ceramic perforated radiator panel and auxiliary elements (gas valves) that control the process of gas supply to the burner and subsequent combustion of the gas-air mixture. The work efficiency depends on the appropriate selection of the dimensions of its main structural elements. (Research purpose) The research purpose is in calculating gas infrared burners for disinfection of soil and substrate in protected ground. (Materials and methods) The calculation of gas infrared burners is reduced to determining the dimensions of its main structural elements: nozzle, throat, mixer, reducer, diffuser and nozzle. (Results and discussion) The gas flow rate per burner, the cross-sectional area of the nozzle and its diameter, and the gas flow rate from the nozzle, the area of the radiating surface were determined based on the specified thermal load Qo and the specific load qo of the nozzle. The calculations of the velocity of the gas-air mixture in the holes of the tile fit within the limits of permissible speeds. The article presents the calculation scheme of the gas infrared burner. (Conclusions) The gas infrared burners, the main structural elements, gas consumption and the speed of the gas-air mixture were calculated. The calculations of infrared burners showed that the velocity of the gas-air mixture in the holes of the ceramic tile fits within the permissible values, which will positively affect the efficiency of its operation.

Особенности математического моделирования разрушения керамических пластин под воздействием высокоскоростных ударников

The paper examines the issues of mathematical modeling of ceramic armor panels’ penetration by high-speed cylindrical impactors. By means of the LS-DYNA software package, a corresponding numerical simulation methodology was developed by combining a chosen method, adjusted computational mesh cells size, appropriate Courant number, and values of linear and quadratic pseudo-viscosity coefficients. The results compared with experimental data show that Lagrangian and Eulerian numerical methods, unlike the SPH method (Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics), improperly reproduce the process of the shock wave disintegration into an elastic precursor and a plastic wave. In addition, the common size of conical fractions dislodging from the ceramic plates was determined and the influence of the scale effect on the ceramics damage patterns was shown: an increase in the absolute value of the plate thickness leads to the increase in the dislodging cone semi-vertex angle.

Research on ceramic fragmentation behavior of lightweight ceramic/metal composite armor during vertical penetration

In order to investigate the ceramic fragmentation behavior of light ceramic composite armors in the process of anti-penetration, ballistic impact tests of ceramic/metal composite armors with different back cover and ceramic thicknesses using a penetrating projectile of 12.7 mm in diameter was carried out. The target was installed in a recycling bin, and the recovery rate of ceramic fragments was above 95%. By observing the macroscopic failure characteristics of the recovered target ceramics, the relationship between different thickness combinations of the ceramics and the main failure characteristics was analyzed. And through the multi-stage screening and weighing of the ceramic fragments, the size distribution law of the ceramic fragments with different thickness combinations was analyzed. The results show that the fracture cone of the ceramic was the main failure characteristic of the ceramic panel, and the macroscopic cracks mainly include radial cracks, ring cracks and conical cracks. The ceramic cone can be subdivided into a crushing zone composed of small powdered ceramic fragments caused by high compressive stress and a broken zone composed of large ceramic fragments caused by stress waves. The size distribution of the ceramic fragments in the ceramic cone after impact satisfies the Rosin-Rammler distribution model. With the increase of the back plate thickness, the half conical angle of the ceramic cone increases, which leads to increases in the overall volume of the ceramic cone and the proportion of the broken zone. The resulting ceramic fragments are mainly large size fragments, and the overall broken size in the ceramic cone increases. When the ceramic thickness increases, the half conical angle and the number of radial cracks remain basically unchanged, the proportion of the crushing zone in the ceramic cone increases, and the overall crushing size decreases.

Experimental studies of the thermal regime of the room when using heating ceramic panels

The article presents the results of experimental studies of the parameters of ceramic panels. Experimental measurements of air temperature in a room for which an electric ceramic panel is used as heating devices are given. The automatic system of monitoring of temperature in the room is described.
 During the experiments it was determined that the surface temperature of the ceramic plate of the heater is higher in the center and decreases when approaching the edges. It is proved that the use of constant surface temperature is acceptable in CFD modeling of a room with ceramic electric heaters. The profile of temperature distribution on height of the room at its heating by means of an electric ceramic heater is resulted in work. The air temperature is relatively evenly distributed over the height of the room. In this study, when entering the quasi-stationary mode, the air temperature in the height of the room varied in the range from 24 to 27˚C, which is slightly higher than the norm for the temperature in domestic premises. In order to save energy in this case it is necessary to reduce the service life of ceramic electric heaters. In the future it is necessary to develop a thermophysical numerical model and verify it with the help of the obtained experimental data. In addition, with the help of the model you can conduct research and determine the optimal location of ceramic electric heaters in the space of the room. Key words: radiation ceramic heater, experimental research, temperature monitoring.