High Performance Armor via Additive Advanced Ceramics

The objective of this proposal is to investigate the use of a cutting edge Additive Manufacturing technology that uses a unique deposition architecture developed by HotEnd Works, Inc (HeW). The process allows for use and flexibility of many advanced material components such as alumina ceramics, boron carbide and silcon carbide. This proposal will explore how In previous work it was determined preliminary that this technology could produce parts for use in high performance armor applications due to the properties being similar to that of traditionally manufactured armor components. HeW 3D printed alumina ceramic parts were near to traditional from a density, purity, and performance standpoint without the use of infiltrants. The Phase I work will further investigate the HeW technology in producing alumina armor to prove its feasibility for Phase II, where boron carbide (B4C) materials will be investigated. The main objective is to utilize the Phase I alumina ceramic investigation as a technology feasibility stepping stone into investigating B4C materials, which is the ideal armor material to date. This technology will provide unlimited geometry of dense armor parts quickly and provide performance necessary in a challenging environments.