IMPACT OF CERAMIC-METAL-PE TARGET PLATE STRUCTURE AND INTERFACE PROPERTIES ON DEFENSE AGAINST ADVANCED CEMENTED CARBIDE PROJECTILES

Abstract

Traditional ballistic armor systems face significant challenges in defending against advanced hard alloy projectiles. This study explores the performance of ceramic-metalultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) composite armor through numerical simulations. Results reveal that boron carbide (B4C) ceramics, due to their exceptional hardness, low density, and energy absorption efficiency, significantly outperform silicon carbide (SiC) in resisting hard alloy penetration. A composite structure consisting of 10 mm B4C, 1 mm titanium alloy, and 8 mm UHMWPE provides effective protection. However, reducing the ceramic thickness to 9 mm and increasing the titanium alloy thickness to 2 mm leads to a notable performance decline, despite higher areal density. Additionally, the interfacial bonding strength between ceramic and metal layers is crucial: increasing it from 10 MPa to above 30 MPa enhances defensive capability, with 90 MPa offering optimal protection. This research provides critical insights and practical guidelines for designing high-performance ballistic armor systems.