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Multilayered Ceramic-Composites for Armour Applications

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Handbook of Advanced Ceramics and Composites

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Abstract

In this chapter, configurations of ceramic-composite armour for resisting ballistic impact shall be introduced. Mechanics of impact shall be explained. Penetration, perforation, and various energy-absorbing mechanisms shall be enlisted. Relative contributions of multiple parameters to penetration resistance such as material properties and geometric configurations shall be discussed. A range of materials can be used for armour. Effect of the choice of material on aspects such as armour weight and thickness shall be included. Key issues of concern while designing ceramic-composite armour such as relative thicknesses of constituents, shape of ceramic tiles, and their sizes shall be discussed. A few probable approaches for improving energy absorption during impact and post-impact residual strength such as use of layered ceramics, embedding nanofillers, and improving toughness of the composite matrix shall be presented. Aspects of multi-hit resistance in ceramic-composite armour and key challenges encountered by armour designers to achieve multi-hit capability shall be discussed. In closure, shortcomings in currently used ceramic-composite armour design and envisioned future trends for improving its performance shall be highlighted.

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Abbreviations

AP:

Armour piercing

CAI:

Compression after impact

CFRP:

Carbon fiber-reinforced polymer

CNF:

Carbon nanofibers

CP:

Complete penetration

DOP:

Depth of penetration

FRP:

Fiber-reinforced polymer

GFRP:

Glass fiber-reinforced polymer

HMPE:

High modulus polyethylene

ILSS:

Inter-laminar shear strength

L/D:

Length-to-diameter

MWCNT:

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes

NIJ:

National Institute of Justice

PAN:

Polyacrylonitrile

PBI:

Polybenzimidazole

PBO:

Polyphenylenebenzobisozazole

PMC:

Polymer matrix composites

RFI:

Resin film infusion

RHA:

Rolled homogeneous armour

UD:

Unidirectional

UHMWPE:

Ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene

VARTM:

Vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Research and Development Establishment (Engineers), Defence Research and Development Organisation, Pune, India

    Kiran Akella

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  1. Kiran Akella
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Correspondence to Kiran Akella .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. ARCI, International Advanced Research Centre f ARCI, Hyderabad, India

    Yashwant Mahajan

  2. ARCI, International Advanced Research Centre f ARCI, Hyderabad, Telangana, India

    Johnson Roy

Section Editor information

  1. Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory, Defence Research & Development Organization, Kanchanbagh, Hyderabad, Telangana, India

    Vemuri Madhu

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Akella, K. (2020). Multilayered Ceramic-Composites for Armour Applications. In: Mahajan, Y., Roy, J. (eds) Handbook of Advanced Ceramics and Composites. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-73255-8_11-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-73255-8_11-1

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  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-73255-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-73255-8

  • eBook Packages: Springer Reference Chemistry and Mat. ScienceReference Module Physical and Materials ScienceReference Module Chemistry, Materials and Physics

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