Innovative Materials for Lightweight Armor

We propose synergistically implementing two emerging ballistic materials,aluminum foams and 3-D woven polymeric composites, in theconstruction of lightweight armor with ceramic facing. In the recentballistic studies both materials have separately demonstrated improvementsin ceramic-faced armor. 3-D woven FRP enables to reduce dynamic deflection,localize damage and increase multiple hit capability. Aluminum foam has beenshown to reduce dynamic deflection, localize damage and attenuate shocktransmission. Both materials are highly tailorable, particularly withrespect to through thickness properties, thus providing unique andfundamental improvements to the next generation integral armor systems. Inthe proposed work, the most influential processing variables will be studiedon each of the materials and their assemblies in the form of ballistictargets. Specifically, effects of various construction parameters will beassessed through the following experimental and theoretical studies: (i)static and dynamic mechanical characterization of the constituent materials,(ii) ballistic tests of the assembled targets against 20mm FSP and (iii)ballistic performance simulation using MOSAIC impact code developed by 3TEX.The result of this study will be an understanding of the influences ofessential processing variables on both the individual materials, theirsynergistic effects, and will enable to optimize armor performance.