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Challenges of Engineering Grain Boundaries in Boron-Based Armor Ceramics

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Abstract

Boron-based ceramics are appealing for lightweight applications in both vehicle and personnel protection, stemming from their combination of high hardness, high elastic modulus, and low density as compared to other ceramics and metal alloys. However, the performance of these ceramics and ceramic composites is lacking because of their inherent low fracture toughness and reduced strength under high-velocity threats. The objective of the present article is to briefly discuss both the challenges and the state of the art in experimental and computational approaches for engineering grain boundaries in boron-based armor ceramics, focusing mainly on boron carbide (B4C) and boron suboxide (B6O). The experimental challenges involve processing these ceramics at full density while trying to promote microstructure features such as intergranular films to improve toughness during shock. Many of the computational challenges for boron-based ceramics stem from their complex crystal structure which has hitherto complicated the exploration of grain boundaries and interfaces. However, bridging the gaps between experimental and computational studies at multiple scales to engineer grain boundaries in these boron-based ceramics may hold the key to maturing these material systems for lightweight defense applications.

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Acknowledgement

SPC and EHR acknowledge support by appointments to Postdoctoral Fellowships at the U.S. Army Research Laboratory, administered by the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education.

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  1. U.S. Army Research Laboratory, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD, 21005, USA

    Shawn P. Coleman, Efrain Hernandez-Rivera, Kristopher D. Behler, Jennifer Synowczynski-Dunn & Mark A. Tschopp

  2. TKC Global, Herndon, VA, 20171, USA

    Kristopher D. Behler

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  1. Shawn P. Coleman
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Coleman, S.P., Hernandez-Rivera, E., Behler, K.D. et al. Challenges of Engineering Grain Boundaries in Boron-Based Armor Ceramics. JOM 68, 1605–1615 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11837-016-1856-7

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