Non-Destructive Evaluation (NDE) and Testing of Ceramic Armor

The objective of this proposal is to demonstrate the feasibility of the application of a patented microwave scanning device as a portable NDE methodology to perform monitoring of the health of ceramic armor from non-projectile impacts. The scanning process utilizes microwaves as an interrogating beam to penetrate a dielectric material. The microwaves combine and form an interference pattern that is reflected at areas of changing dielectric constant. This method has been used successfully in preliminary studies on many different types of dielectric materials, including monolithic ceramics and samples of Stryker and ASV program armor panels. This method has also been shown to be capable of providing a quick and accurate identification of discontinuities in ceramic material samples. This method permits real time evaluation by inspection from one surface only, through non-contacting encapsulation such as Kevlar or rubber, saving access time and cost. Evisive microwave scanning technology has been demonstrated for the Army through Argonne National Laboratory. The included letter of support from TARDEC refers to that investigation.