The correlation of indentation behaviour with ballistic performance for spark plasma sintered armour ceramics

Abstract

The Knoop and Vickers indentation behaviour of spark plasma sintered SiC-5 wt.% B 4 C, B 4 C and SiC-2.5 wt.% AlN-3 wt.% C armour ceramics have been investigated and observations correlated with ballistic performance. Surface and sub-surface indentation-induced damage has been characterised via cross-sectioning and serial ceramographic polishing techniques. The nature of the damage appears to be less influential than hardness in relation to ballistic performance, but variability in indentation behaviour appears to correlate with variability in ballistic performance. Examination of the indentation size effect curves shows that both Knoop hardness and predicted transition velocities correlate with V50 ballistic performance against an armour-piercing threat, further supporting the importance of hardness and the potential for indentation to be used as a screening method for armour materials. Crown

Development of magnesium‐aluminum‐silicate glass‐ceramics nucleated with Nb2O5

“…On the other hand, a trial and error TAS design based on full scale impact tests is untenable and, correlations between static and dynamic tests are weak and/or debatable . Consequently, screening lab‐scale low‐strain‐rate tests are desirable to identify promising novel materials in an early stage of the design . We measured surface roughness, hardness and crack resistance, even though, hardness tests have shown lack of correlation with impact stability and, crack resistance obtained from Vickers test is enable to follow the entire evolution of failure mechanisms, as a progressive transition from initial elasticity to full plasticity .…”

“…However, it is widely accepted that the TAS performance is influenced by the mode of fracture, backing stiffness and hardness of its components . Furthermore, TAS designers have been demanding for a screening technique to identify promising materials earlier in the development of next‐generation products …”

“…12,19 Furthermore, TAS designers have been demanding for a screening technique to identify promising materials earlier in the development of next-generation products. 20,21 Thus, we apply the TAS design guidelines previously presented, 8 by which materials should be evaluated in a straightforward way, from less costly analyses to the most complex-expensive ones. We performed an microstructural characterization through Raman, XRD and SEM analisis.…”

High temperature flexural strength and oxidation behavior of hot-pressed B4C–ZrB2 ceramics with various ZrB2 contents at 1000–1600 °C in air

“…Boron carbide (B 4 C) based ceramics exhibit unique properties such a high melting point (2450 o C), low density (2.52 g/cm 3 ), high elastic modulus, high hardness, good resistant to chemical agents and high temperature, and high neutron absorption capability [1][2][3][4][5]. Therefore, B 4 C based ceramics have been widely used in cutting tools, wear resistant parts, nuclear reactors, armor materials and functional elements of cathode assemblies, working in conditions of high-rate heating or cooling and heterogeneous thermal tension [6][7][8], at high temperature ranging between 1200 and 1700 o C [9,10].…”

“…Figure 2here)8 Room temperature flexural strength and fracture toughness were measured for the three B 4 C-ZrB 2 ceramics, as listed inTable 1. The room temperature flexural strength appears to decrease as the ZrB 2 content increases.…”