Ceramic array armor

Abstract

A light-weight armor hard-face component with elastomer encapsulation and lateral confinement to effectively improve multi-hit performance. The preferred embodiment is an integrated package consisting of a large elastomer plate, which contains confined, shock isolated ceramic tiles. This plate can be formed to a variety of sizes and shapes by cutting the elastomer along the gap between ceramic tiles. The attachment of this integrated package to a vehicle structure can be easily accomplished by bolting or adhesive bonding. Elastomer encapsulation limits lateral damage, increases ballistic efficiency and allows multiple impacts without ballistic performance degradation. The armor component is an integrated package, containing a continuous elastomer phase around segmented ceramic tiles. The elastomer is used to (1) attenuate stress waves, (2) accommodate the lateral displacement of ceramic fracturing, and (3) isolate adjacent tiles during the backing vibration stage. Polysulfide possesses adequate dynamic properties for use as the encapsulation component. At high strain rates, the polysulfide exhibits the desired rubber behavior, and its mechanical properties maintain the structural integrity of the whole system. In order to provide resistance to all hostile battlefield environments, multiple layers of different elastomers may be used. The surface rubber can provide an excellent resistance against road hazards, fire, gasoline, etc. The interior rubber, which surrounds the ceramic tiles, has the dynamic properties required to protect the tile adjacent to a hit tile.