Cercom, Inc.

Bae Systems Advanced Ceramics, Inc.

Daniel Ashkin

Richard Palicka

The present invention contemplates the addition of zirconium compounds to well known ceramic ballistic materials to increase resistance to penetration by projectiles. In the preferred embodiments of the present invention, the zirconium compound that is employed consists of ZrOand is provided in the range of about 0.1% to about 11%, by weight, of starting material before densification. Preferred ranges of proportion of ZrOin the finished ceramic material are in the ranges of about 0.30% to about 0.75%, by weight, or about 8-9%, by weight. The ballistic material using the combination of SiC with low volume of sintering aid and ZrOraises the theoretical density of the ceramic material to between 3.225 and 3.40 g/cc, which is slightly higher than the typical 3.22 g/cc theoretical density for hot pressed fully dense SiC. The unexpected result that accrues through combining silicon carbide and zirconia consists of the creation of controlled defects in the finished ceramic that increase the surface area that is fractured during a ballistic event, enhancing spreading of the forces imposed on the ceramic material by a projectile and, as a result, the ability of the ballistic material to withstand higher forces while resisting penetration.

Compositions for improved ceramic armor

A ceramic armor is disclosed in several embodiments. In a first embodiment, a metal base plate has a metal frame assembled on it having a central opening into which the ceramic material is placed. A cover plate is placed over the frame to enclose the ceramic material on all sides. In a second embodiment, the frame has an open central area that has two crossing walls that define four sub-chambers. Four pieces of ceramic material are placed in the respective sub-chambers and a covering plate is placed over it. In a further embodiment, the frame has a plurality of cavities mechanically formed in it. A ceramic tile or plate is placed in each cavity and a cover plate is placed over the frame. The metal used to encapsulate the ceramic material may, if desired, comprise a Titanium alloy such as Ti-6Al-4V, and the ceramic material may comprise Silicon Carbide, Boron Carbide, Tungsten Carbide, Titanium Diboride or Aluminum Nitride. A hot pressing procedure is carried out on the armor to cause the metal to plastically deform about the encapsulated ceramic material.

Ceramic armor and method of making by encapsulation in a hot pressed three layer metal assembly

A ceramic armor is disclosed in several embodiments. In a first embodiment, a metal base plate has a metal frame assembled on it having a central opening into which the ceramic material and stiffening plate are placed. A cover plate is placed over the frame to enclose the ceramic material on all sides. In a second embodiment, the frame has an open central area that has two crossing walls that define four sub-chambers. Four sets of ceramic material and stiffening plate are placed in the respective sub-chambers and a covering plate is placed over them. In a further embodiment, the frame has a plurality of cavities mechanically formed in it. A stiffening plate and a ceramic tile or plate are placed in each cavity and a cover plate is placed over the frame. The metal used to encapsulate the ceramic material may, if desired, comprise a Titanium alloy such as Ti-6Al-4V, and the ceramic material may comprise Silicon Carbide, Boron Carbide, Tungsten Carbide, Titanium Diboride, Aluminum Oxide or Aluminum Nitride. The stiffening plate is preferably made of a Ti&#x2014;TiB cermet composite but may also be comprised of an armor ceramic such as WC, TiB, AlOor BC. A hot pressing procedure is carried out on the armor to cause the metal to plastically deform about the encapsulated ceramic material.

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San Marcos, CA, United States of America

Daniel Ashkin