Study on the ballistic performance of monolithic ceramic plates
conference paper
To defeat small calibre rifle bullets ceramic armour is used for personal protection. The earlier designs were flat inserts with square tiles. Nowadays monolithic plates are used, because they can be made multi-curved. These anatomically shaped plates are more comfortable to wear and the joints that were introduced with former designs (square tiles) showed a reduced ballistic performance.
Used monolithic plates were investigated on the presence of cracks. The monolithic plates with cracks were impacted by a projectile directly on or close to a crack. Furthermore, a realistic multi-hit distance for testing of the plates was investigated. In peace keeping operations the individual soldier operates more and more in urban areas. Therefore, the chance of being hit by multiple projectiles separated at a short distance is more likely. Trials with six types of weapons are performed in order to determine which spread could be expected at short ranges.
The outcome raises the question whether the multi-hit resistance of monolithic ceramic armour plates is sufficient and whether the multi-hit distance should be further reduced. New technical armour solutions show that the crack resistance of armour plates can be improved and that smaller multi-hit distances are possible. As a result of this research, The Netherlands MoD has chosen an armour solution which minimizes the chance on cracks and offers an improved multihit performance.
Used monolithic plates were investigated on the presence of cracks. The monolithic plates with cracks were impacted by a projectile directly on or close to a crack. Furthermore, a realistic multi-hit distance for testing of the plates was investigated. In peace keeping operations the individual soldier operates more and more in urban areas. Therefore, the chance of being hit by multiple projectiles separated at a short distance is more likely. Trials with six types of weapons are performed in order to determine which spread could be expected at short ranges.
The outcome raises the question whether the multi-hit resistance of monolithic ceramic armour plates is sufficient and whether the multi-hit distance should be further reduced. New technical armour solutions show that the crack resistance of armour plates can be improved and that smaller multi-hit distances are possible. As a result of this research, The Netherlands MoD has chosen an armour solution which minimizes the chance on cracks and offers an improved multihit performance.
TNO Identifier
183013
Source title
23rd International Symposium on Ballistics, Tarragona, Spain, 16-20 April 2007
Pages
1561-1567
Files
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