Modeling of Defects in Transparent Ceramics for Improving Military Armor

摘要

The dominant materials solution used for ballistic transparency protection of armored tactical platforms in commercial and military applications is low cost glass backed by polycarbonate. Due to the high cost of testing transparent ceramics, a modelling approach has been undertaken in parallel with ballistic testing to validate armor designs based on a transparent magnesium aluminate spinel, MgAl2O4, striking-ply backed by polycarbonate. Finite element modelling is used to predict unsuccessful designs and reduce number of laminate configurations in experimental testing. The purpose of this report is to demonstrate the importance of modeling tools in advancing ceramic transparent armor materials to fielded applications. The effect of various shape defects, located at various locations on the surface and in the interior of spinel hard face of the laminate target, on the failure of the transparent material will compared with relative available experimental data and they be discussed in detail.