Fraunhofer USA, Inc.

Harald H Eifert

Terry D Claar

Chin-Jye Yu

In a multi-layer armor system ( ), useful for military vehicles, a metallic foam is provided as the shock energy-absorbing element. In a typical arrangement, the metallic foam shock-absorbing element ( ) is sandwiched between a high strength strike plate ( ) and a backing plate ( ). Typically, the backing plate is a highly deforming metal, such as titanium, aluminum, or steel. However, the backing plate may comprise one or more layers of metal, ceramic or polymer-based composites. The high strength strike plate may be ceramic or metal. The shock-absorbing element is preferably a closed-cell metal foam with a high porosity that is effective in containing rearward deformation of the strike plate from a projectile strike. In a preferred embodiment, the shock-absorbing element is an aluminum foam with a porosity of 80 percent by volume.

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Hockessin, DE, United States of America

Harald H Eifert