Abstract:
It is known that ceramic materials in armour are often shattered by a
penetrating projectile and the resistance to penetration is therefore dependent
upon the properties of this failed material. A small explosive charge was used
to shatter a confined 95% alumina tile by passing the stress wave from an
explosive detonation through a steel cover plate and into the ceramic. This
fractured material was shown to have an elastic modulus of 130 GPa compared to
330 GPa for the monolithic alumina. Impact indentation tests and ballistic depth
of penetration tests were performed on the intact ceramic, shattered ceramic and
a pressed ceramic powder compact. It was found that the fractured material had a
ballistic efficiency approximately 70% of that of the monolithic alumina and was
also able to cause significant erosion to the project