SBIR-STTR Award

A program is proposed to demonstrates a low cost material, design andmanufacturing method for the elastomer-encapsulated, laterally-confined ceramic armor component to limit lateral damage, to increase ballistic efficiency, and to allow multiple impacts without ballistic performance degradation. The armor component is an integrated package, containing a continuous elastomer phase around segmented, laterally-confined ceramic tiles. The proposed program is based on Ceradyne's extensivedevelopment in the armor system design and manufacturing. The elastomer is used (1) to attenuate the shock waves, and (2) to accommodate the lateral displacement during the ceramic fracturing, for reducing thedamage in the adjacent ceramic tiles. The confinement on the segmented ceramic tiles is introduced (1) to increase the compressive strengthof the comminuted fragments, and (2) to increase the friction betweenthe projectile and the fragmented rabbles, for achieving the maximum ballistic efficiency. A ballistic testing methodology will be designedto quantitatively evaluate the ballistic efficiency as well as the single- and multiple-hit performance. A partnership with a commercial tire/elastomer manufacture will be established to reduce the manufacturing cost in the elastomer encapsulation process. A preliminary data base will be established for use in designing a program to fabricate and optimize armor system with multiple hit capability.

Benefits:
Large scale of the elastomer-encapsulated and laterally-confined armor packages will provide the Army a new type of armor components for stand-offarmor, vehicle skirt armor, hard-face armor component and light-weight armor systems, especially in the multiple hit conditions.

A program is proposed to develop a low-cost elastomer-encapsulated ceramic armor component with multi-hit defeat capability and with excellent durability in all battlefield environments. The armor package can defeat multiple .50 cal APM2 projectiles at inter-hit distances as small as 3 inches which represents a greater than 90% probability of protection under battlefield conditions for usual threat standoff ranges. The armor component is an integrated package, containing an array of ceramic tiles in a continuous matrix of layered elastomers. The surface elastomer provides the resistance to non-ballistic threats. The interior elastomer is used to control the lateral damage in the ceramic array by threat impact, through (1) attenuating the shock waves, (2) accommodating the lateral displacement during the ceramic fracturing, and (3) isolating the adjacent tiles during the backing vibration period. The preliminary results from the Phase I indicate that an armor package, containing encapsulated 3X3" 11 Ib/ft2 SiC tiles and a 7 Ib/ft2 Al backing plate, can defeat two .50 cal APM2 projectiles separated by 3 inches. The multi-hit performance relies on (a) limiting the lateral damage in the ceramic tile array, (b) controlling the transient response of ceramic tiles in the tile array during the backing vibration, and (c) limiting the transient and permanent backing plate deformation. The armor configuration and elastomer process will be optimized. Potential applications will be surveyed, and a specific armor application will be selected, design, built and ballistically evaluated In the Phase II program. The proposed program is based on Ceradyne's extensive development in the ceramic-based armor systems, both in armor design and armor manufacturing. A partnership has been formed with Hutchinson, a commercial rubber company with extensive experience supplying elastomeric components to the military. This strong team of ceramic manufacturer and rubber manufacturer will jointly develop and commercialize the technology.

Benefits:
The elastomer-encapsulated ceramic armor packages will provide the Army a new type of armor components for stand-alone applique armors, structural armors, ceramic components mounted to a thick hull as an armor upgrade, vehicle skirts, hard4ace armor components in other armor system, and stand-alone semi4lexible armors.