Armor for lightweight ballistic protection

Abstract

Armor for lightweight ballistic protection is made up of composite tiles which can be assembled into modules. The modules can be assembled into panels and can be mounted on vehicles and aircraft and on the walls of shelters. The tiles have core layer(s) of non-homogeneous materials provided by particles of grit distributed in a plastic, preferably rigid polymeric matrix, and which are faced by a layer of high modulus stiff material such as ceramic. The tiles are preferrably backed by elastomeric material and may have sheets of composite material between the elastomeric layer and the non-homogenous core layer. The tiles may be stacked, forming modules and the modules assembled in rows to form panels. An incoming object causes the facing layer to distribute the impact force over a large area of the non-homogeneous grit/polymeric core layer which fractures and absorbs the impact and shock waves, both the compressive direct wave and the tensile wave reflected from the back interface. The non-homogenity and distributed grit particles in the core layer also serve to reflect and disperse the shock wave. The elastomeric layer also aids in distributing the shock wave. In response to the impact and shock waves and projectile penetration, the non-homogeneous grit/polymeric core layer cracks, pulverizes and disintegrates resulting in high energy absorption by crack propagation. Also the small debris particles which are generated absorb kinetic energy as they are propelled into motion, diverted and scattered.