Purpose: In the combat vehicles many materials can be used for the armour. Application of the monolithic armour plates in light combat vehicles is limited by the high armour weigh. Introduction of the layered armour plates is a way to limit the vehicle weight. In the paper test results of graded and nanostructural GMA surfaced armour plates are presented. Design/methodology/approach: Metallographic structure, chemical composition and hardness of surfaced layers were investigated in order to examine the influence of the layered armour plate construction on penetration failure mechanism. EDS chemical microanalysis was carried out on the cross section of surfaced armour plates to find the correlation between the structure components distribution, a GMA surfaced layer thickness and the armour plates ballistic resistance. Findings: The experimental tests confirmed a high ballistic resistance of the GMA surfaced armour plates against B-32 armour-piercing incendiary projectile. The special microstructure of nanostructural deposited metal provides high hardness and resistance against impact load. Practical implications: In order to achieve a high ballistic resistance of GMA surfaced armour, nanostructural layer thickness of at least 4.5 [mm] is needed. To optimize the armour plate weight and high ballistic resistance the ratio of soft austenite under-layer thickness and total armour plate thickness need to be tested. Originality/value: The special microstructure of nanostructural deposited metal, provides high hardness and resistance against impact load.
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