Ballistic Resistance of Silicon-Carbide-Based Ceramic and Ultrahigh-Molecular-Weight Polyethylene Composite Armor

Abstract

In this study, the ballistic resistance of SiC (silicon carbide) and a SiC mixture S80B20 (80% SiC/20% B₄C) backed with UHMWPE (ultra-high-molecular-weight-polyethylene) fiber board was investigated by striking it with a .30-06 armor piercing projectile. The front plate of the high hardness ceramics is intended to passivate the bullet and limit the bullet’s impact kinetic energy, and the high strength backing plate undergoes plastic deformation, absorbing the bullet’s residual energy. Ballistic tests revealed that an 8 mm thick S80B20 ceramics produced at a sintering temperature of 2120° or 2140°C, combined with a composite plate, can successfully resist .30-06 armorpiercing rounds with energy greater than 3900 J. The optimal SiC plate meeting the NIJ 0101.06 Level IV was an 8 mm thick SiC sheet backed with 9 mm of fiber board (total thickness, 17 mm; areal density, 33.217 g/m²). The 8 mm thick 80% SiC/20% B₄C plate sintered at 2120°C, backed with 7 mm fiber board, had an areal density of only 29.615 kg/m². If the depth of penetration is less than 44 mm, the fiber board thickness must be increased from 7 to 8 mm, increasing the areal density to 30.552 kg/m². Compared with the SiC ballistic plate, the density of the composite is 2.665 kg/m² lower.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Keywords:

• Silicon carbide
• UHMWPE
• Armor piercing projectile
• Sintering temperature
• Areal density