SBIR-STTR Award

A program is proposed to demonstrate fabrication of functionally gradient materials (FGMs) for advanced armor against small arms threats, through leverage of Cercom's existing technology database for fabrication of cermet TiB/Ti FGMs up to 150mm square. The program will advance state of the art technology for FGMs, with a fabrication method adaptable to high volume, low cost production, in contrast to other reported processes. The new program will investigate ballistic effects of varying levels of titanium metal content in cermet TiB/Ti FGMs, and evaluation through V50 testing against 800 grain fragment simulating and .50 caliber AP projectile threats. Three cermet TiB compositions will be used as hardface materials for the FGMs, with titanium contents of 5,10, and 15 percent. Modeling of residual stresses, performed by UES, Inc., wil be used to maximize hardface thickness. Fabrication method will be hot pressing, including a Cercom-developed, modified tape casting process to tailor intermediate layers. Tile size will be 150mm square, with scale up to 300mm square in an Option Task. Attachment of one FGM tile to a metallic base will be demonstrated. Recommendations for optimization of cermet TiB/Ti FGMs will be made in a Phase II program plan.

The proposed program will leverage Functionally Gradient Material (FGM) technology developed in the TiB cermet/Ti system at Cercom to fabricate large scale armor tiles for protection against small arms threats. Current state of the art capability for 150 mm square, 25 mm thick tiles will be scaled up to 300 mm square. The program will refine predictive modeling techniques to determine fabricability of various FGM architectures. Tiles will be ballistically tested (V50) to determine optimum TiB cermet hardface composition for use against 830 grain FSP and .50 caliber AP projectiles. Additional concepts to be evaluated include cladding of FGM tiles within titanium jackets and/or sandwiching of TiB hardfaces between a titanium frontface and backface for improved multihit capability. Beta-titanium alloys will be investigated for improved fabricability. The preliminary results indicate that the new, light-weight, low cost FGM armor cermets are uniques because they are load-carrying and easily attachable, obviating the attachment problems normally present with applique armor. Twenty-five 300 mm square optimized TiB/Ti FGM armor will be delivered at the program conclusion, representing the largest FGM armor produced in the world to data by a process adaptable to low cost production.

Benefits:
Large scale TiB/Ti FGM tiles will provide the Army a basis for light-weight, load carrying armor with ballistic performance and weight advantages over applique armors. The FGM technology developed will also have widespread potential for commercial turbine engines, from turbine components (metallic shaft graded to cermet blades) to containment rings.