Hybrid composite structures for ballistic protection

Abstract

The present invention relates to hybrid composite structures with improved ballistic protection properties. More specifically, the present invention relates to hybrid composite structures with improved ballistic protection properties that comprise at least three sub-layers.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to hybrid composite structures with improved ballistic protection properties. More specifically, the present invention relates to hybrid composite structures with improved ballistic protection properties that comprise at least three sub-layers. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] The recent anti-terrorism war in Iraq and other US military missions have demonstrated the advantages of well-prepared, small, mobile and lethal combat forces that can rapidly respond to a broad range of tasks in limited regional conflicts. The new strategy of US military forces presents an urgent need for “leap frogging” technologies. Weight reduction for present and future army combat systems is critical to the rapid deployment of military contingencies under the requirement of this new strategy. Traditional armor vehicle is protected by heavy metal armor which not only produces fuel energy and transportation problems, but also reduces the mobilit...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006] In one embodiment, the present invention relates to designs for ballistic protection based on various materials and fiber architectures, that are achieved using preliminary design analysis and selection of armor composite structure. These armor composite structures achieve performance under ballistic impact as shown using numerical finite element simulation. The result is a hybrid composite structure or structures with improved ballistic protection properties.

[0008] In still another embodiment, the hybrid composite armor of the present invention comprises at least one hard ceramic face / layer to blunt a projectile, at least one backing layer, and at least one intermediate layer positioned between the one or more face layers and the one or more backing layers. Either the one or more intermediate layers or the one or more backing layers is / are designed to primarily provide structure integrity and to impart multi-hit capacity to the armor of the present invention. The other layer or layers is / are designed to primarily absorb high impact energy. Such a design has numerous benefits over current composite armor including, but not limited to, the utilization of materials more efficiently, an increase in both structural integrity and the ability to withstand multiple impacts / hits. Accordingly, the hybrid composite armors of the present invention contain armor structures with excellent impact resistance, high energy absorption, and adequate thermal properties.

Problems solved by technology

Traditional armor vehicle is protected by heavy metal armor which not only produces fuel energy and transportation problems, but also reduces the mobility and speed of the vehicle significantly.

Due to intensive fracture and delamination in composite backing plate after impact, the existing type of two-layer (i.e., ceramic tile-composite plate) composite armor has poor structure integrity and less multi-hit resistance.

However, since rubber is compliant, the inclusion thereof reduces the stiffness of the resulting structure dramatically.

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