Effect of Al alloy back panel on the dynamic penetration and damage characteristics of ceramic composite armors

This paper mainly focuses on the investigation of dynamic penetration and damage characteristics of a hybrid ceramic composite armor normally impacted by 12.7 mm armor piercing incendiary projectiles. The hybrid ceramic composite armor was composed of a ceramic cylinder layer, a Ti–6Al–4V plate, an ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) composite layer, and an Al alloy panel. Three different areal densities of composite laminates with 82, 87, and 92 kg/m2 were tested. 3D finite element model of the ceramic composite armor was generated in ABAQUS, and the simulation results were employed to study the damage evolution. The effect of alumina ceramic cylinders layer on the ballistic performance and the failure mechanisms of Ti–6Al–4V and UHMWPE after ballistic impact were examined by experimental and simulative results. According to the numerical and analytical models, an optimal thickness range of Al alloy back panel was found in minimizing areal density of the ceramic composite armor.