A ceramic armour element for use in armour

[0021] FIG. 1 shows a ceramic armor element 10. When the ceramic armor element 10 is viewed in the direction indicated by Z, the ceramic armor element has a hexagonal cross-sectional shape. The ceramic armor element 10 has lugs 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22 on each side of the ceramic armor element. The element has a flat lower surface 24 and a convex upper surface 26. The convex upper surface is used to dissipate the energy from the initial impact of the projectile on a larger area than when the element has a flat upper surface.

[0022] Fig. 2 shows an array of hexagonal ceramic armor elements including element 10 and identical elements 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600. The hexagonal array is arranged so that the lugs 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22 on the ceramic armor element 10 and the adjacent ceramic armor elements 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600 cooperate with each other. The lugs 101, 201, 301, 401, 501, 601 on adjacent elements 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600 are arranged on the sides of adjacent ceramic armor elements 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600 On the opposite half of the ceramic armor element 10. Throughout the hexagonal element array, there are continuous spaces 48 between the sides of the elements, allowing the adhesive to flow and enter to form an adhesive layer between the sides of the elements.

[0023] Figure 2a shows a detail of the cross section of the hexagonal element array, showing the mutual cooperation of the two elements. Here, the line X passing through the centers of the side surfaces 11 and 111 defines the left half and the right half of the side surfaces 11 and 111. From the perspective of the ceramic armor element 10, the ceramic armor element 10 has a lug 14 on the right half of the side surface 11, and the right half is matched with the opposite lugless left half of the adjacent ceramic armor element 100. From the perspective of the ceramic armor element 100, the ceramic armor element 100 has a lug 101 on the right half of the side 111, and the right half cooperates with the opposite lugless left half of the adjacent element 10.

[0024] A plurality of ceramic armor elements are assembled to cooperate with each other as in FIG. 2a to form the entire panel in a closed and assembled hexagonal structure as in FIG. The restraint frame 32 is used to keep the individual ceramic armor elements in place while being arranged. In manufacturing, when the hexagonal array is completed and the entire panel is formed in the restriction frame 32, additional adhesive is poured on the panel (as shown by reference numeral 62 in FIG. 3). The space 48 between the elements facilitates the ingress of adhesive and forms an adhesive layer between the elements. After completion, the panel is partially cured to make it easier to handle. The restriction frame 32 is removed after manufacturing.

[0025] The standard panel as described above includes fixing points for fixing the panel to the object to be protected. The panels are assembled to include fixing elements (not shown). The fixing element is essentially a modified hexagonal steel with the same size as the ceramic protector element, which is modified to facilitate bolts and to make the lugs of adjacent elements cooperate with the fixing element. The fixing element is incorporated into the panel at any position, which is determined before the panel is assembled.

[0026]Fig. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the inside of the armor panel of Fig. 2. The panel includes a backing plate 60 to which the ceramic armor elements 100 and 200 are glued through an adhesive layer 52. The material of the liner is GFRP (glass fiber reinforced plastic). The adhesive used to bond the ceramic to the backing plate 52 and the adhesive that has been poured onto the ceramic armor element 62 to form an adhesive layer may be the same or different. Examples of suitable adhesives for panel assembly may be toughened epoxy or toughened epoxy. The characteristics of the adhesive should include at least one of the following, preferably all:

[0027] ·Provide high-quality bonding for liners and ceramics;

[0028] ·Have enough viscosity for the adhesive to flow freely, so as to ensure that there are no gaps between the ceramic armor components;

[0029] ·Curing into a consistent hard rubber or thermosetting compound;

[0030] · Only need room temperature curing or moderate secondary curing at no more than 50°C.

[0031] After curing, the panel (with the restriction frame 32 removed) is encapsulated in an aramid fiber cover and/or glass reinforcement fiber cover 64.