| About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
2025 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition
|
| Symposium
|
Advances in Ceramic Materials and Processing
|
| Presentation Title |
Multi-Layer Composite Armor: Experimental and Computational Study |
| Author(s) |
Alberto Pagano, Nicola Bonora, Gianluca Iannitti, Sara Ricci, Andrew Ruggiero, Gabriel Testa, Andrea Ceccacci |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Alberto Pagano |
| Abstract Scope |
The ballistic resistance of personal body armor primarily relies on the strength of embedded ceramic plates, which blunt, fragment, and decelerate incoming projectiles while distributing impact forces over a broader area. One of the most widely used ceramics is alumina, due to its high strength and light weight. However, it is also characterized by a low fracture toughness, which often makes the ballistic plate subject to complete fracture from the first shot. To enhance impact resistance and energy absorption, a multi-layer composite plate, consisting of alumina tiles separated by low-density elastomeric matrix filled gaps, has been developed. The constituents have been experimentally characterized to calibrate the constitutive models and the role of geometric parameters were studied computationally to identify the optimal configuration. Finally, numerical simulation results have been validated under single and multi-hit conditions. The underlying technology of this composite material is currently under patent pending status. |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Planned: |
| Keywords |
Ceramics, Polymers, Other |