Method of polishing transparent armor

Abstract

A method of polishing transparent armor, preferably to optical clarity. The method can be used on flat or contoured armor, manually or via robotic automation. The method includes using a step-wise progression of diamond, structured abrasive articles.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 896,016, filed Mar. 21, 2007, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.TECHNICAL FIELD[0002]This disclosure relates to a method for polishing a transparent armor, to an optically clear finish, using abrasive articles. The transparent armor may be flat or curved.BACKGROUND [0003]In recent years there has been a tremendous amount of interest in transparent armor for both military and civilian protection. It is desired that the transparent armor is abrasion resistant, relatively low cost, and relatively low weight, and in many applications, it is desired that the transparent armor is optically clear. Likewise since there are countless types of threats (bullets, improvised explosive devices (IEDs), etc.), transparent armor preferably should be effective against multiple types of projectiles and preferably against multiple strike...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011]In another aspect of the disclosure, the method further comprises providing a second structured abrasive article comprising a backing and a plurality of shaped composites comprising diamonds therein, the diamonds having a smaller particle size than the diamonds of the first abrasive article, securing the second abrasive article to a rotary grinder to form an abrasive tool, and moving the second abrasive article relative to the transparent armor such that the second abrasive article modifies the armor to provide a third surface finish that is closer to optically clear than the second surface finish.

Problems solved by technology

The combination of the hard ceramic and polymeric layers causes disintegration of the projectile and inhibits the penetration of the projectile through and possibly cause injury.

Even if the hot-pressed ceramic body is dense and pore-free, the rough outer surfaces cause scattering of incident light and thereby result in a non-transparent product.

However, it is time consuming and difficult to polish the hot-pressed material to optical clarity.

The polishing cost may contribute significantly to the overall transparent armor cost and thus inhibit their use.

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