INVESTIGATION OF THE INFLUENCE OF NIOBIA ADDITIONS IN ALUMINA FOR BALLISTIC APPLICATIONS

摘要

Variational analysis was employed to evaluate the effect of niobia addition in alumina to be used as component in armor systems. A good ceramic for armor applications requires high hardness, densification, and absorbed energy under dynamic impact. The latter property measures the material dynamic fracture toughness. Statistical analysis was conducted using the program called STATISTICA. The output properties were hardness, densification, and absorbed energy under ballistic impact which are essentials for ceramic armor protection. The input variables were concentration niobia and sintering conditions. The response surfaces for the output properties for niobia concentrations ranging from 0 wt% to 6 wt% showed a maximum for 4 wt% of niobia. By analyzing the average values using the LSD method with a confidence level of 95% for all cases including the reference, it became clear that the alumina with 4 wt% of niobia sintered at 1400°C / 3 h showed simultaneous maxima for hardness, densification, and energy absorption. Such processing condition is very attractive for alumina-based ceramic applications in armor systems.