Conformable Body Armor-Toughened by Continuous Fiber Reinforcement

The present focus for light weight body armor requires that materials properties are optimized and that new and innovative techniques are incorporated to achieve the required ballistic performance and make these materials conformable to the body shape. Through the lamination of ceramic tapes, graded structures can be fabricated, to elimate impedance mis-match and incorporate a continuous fiber reinforced matte on both surfaces. Through the green forming of these ceramic laminated tapes with existing metal forming techniques, shaped armor can be constructed for use on extremities. This will allow complete joint articulation without loss of mobility. This proposal will address the goals of achieving level IV protection with an areal density of less than 5PSF and comformable extremity armor with an areal density of less than 2.5 PSF. Anticipated Benefits: The benefits to both military and civilian personnel will be increased ballistic protection over a larger body area than at present, and at a lower weight.