Ceramic armour and method of construction

Abstract

An armor for protection against large caliber projectiles has a ceramic layer with a confinement layer on a front thereof. The ceramic layer is backed by a first metallic layer and the first metallic layer in turn is backed by a composite layer. The composite layer is backed by a second metallic layer, which in turn is backed by an anti-trauma layer. The armor is used to protect personnel, but it can also be used to protect objectives such as vehicles.

1 . An armor for protection against large caliber projectiles comprising a ceramic layer with a first confinement layer on a front thereof, said ceramic layer being backed by a first metallic layer of high strength and ductility for distributing an impact load from a projectile and ceramic debris and for confining the debris in an impact zone within said ceramic layer, said first metallic layer being thinner than said ceramic layer and backed by a ballistic composite layer, with the various layers being bonded together. 
   
   
       2 . An armor as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said first metallic layer is thin relative to a thickness of said ceramic layer. 
   
   
       3 . An armor as claimed in  claim 1  including an anti-trauma layer, said ballistic composite layer being backed by said anti-trauma layer for reducing blunt trauma and to increase separation between the armor and the torso of a user. 
   
   
       4 . An armor as claimed in  claim 1  including a second metallic layer, said ballistic composite layer being backed by said second metallic layer. 
   
   
       5 . An armor as claimed in  claim 4  including an anti-trauma layer, said second metallic layer being backed by said anti-trauma layer for reducing blunt trauma and to increase separation between the armor and the torso of a user. 
   
   
       6 . (canceled) 
   
   
       7 . An armor as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said ceramic layer, first confinement layer, first metallic layer, and said ballistic composite layer have a curvature such that the armor is fitted to a chest of a person wearing the armor. 
   
   
       8 . An armor as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said first metallic layer includes a titanium alloy. 
   
   
       9 . An armor as claimed in  claim 4  wherein said second metallic layer includes a titanium alloy. 
   
   
       10 . An armor as claimed in  claim 8  wherein said first metallic layer is a titanium alloy containing substantially 6% aluminum. 
   
   
       11 . An armor as claimed in  claim 9  wherein said second metallic layer is a titanium alloy containing substantially 6% aluminum. 
   
   
       12 . An armor as claimed in  claim 10  wherein said titanium alloy containing substantially 6% aluminum is Titanium alloy ASTM B265, Grade 5, with nominal weight contents of 6% Aluminum, 4% Vanadium. 
   
   
       13 . An armor as claimed in  claim 11  wherein said titanium alloy containing substantially 6% aluminum is Titanium alloy ASTM B265, Grade 5, with nominal weight contents of 6% Aluminum, 4% Vanadium. 
   
   
       14 . An armor as claimed in  claim 3  wherein said anti-trauma layer is made of a polymeric foam layer. 
   
   
       15 . An armor as claimed in  claim 5  wherein said anti-trauma layer is made of a polymeric foam layer. 
   
   
       16 . An armor as claimed in  claim 14  wherein said polymeric foam layer is about 128 kg/m 3  rigid polyurethane foam having a thickness of about 15 mm. 
   
   
       17 . An armor as claimed in  claim 15  wherein said polymeric foam layer is about 128 kg/m 3  rigid polyurethane foam having a thickness of about 15 mm. 
   
   
       18 . An armor as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said first confinement layer includes a glass fiber reinforced polymer layer. 
   
   
       19 . An armor as claimed in  claim 18  wherein said first confinement layer is bonded to the ceramic layer using a urethane matrix. 
   
   
       20 . An armor as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said composite layer is formed of multiple layers. 
   
   
       21 . An armor as claimed in  claim 20  wherein said multiple layers are multiple layers of aramid fibers within a polymeric matrix. 
   
   
       22 . An armor as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said ceramic layer is made of boron carbide or silicon carbide. 
   
   
       23 . An armor as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said ceramic layer is a solid layer of ceramic. 
   
   
       24 . An armor as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said ceramic layer is a mosaic. 
   
   
       25 . An armor as claimed in  claim 1  including a second confinement layer located between the ceramic layer and the first metallic layer. 
   
   
       26 . An armor as claimed in  claim 25  wherein said second confinement layer includes a glass fiber reinforced polymer layer. 
   
   
       27 . An armor as claimed in  claim 26  wherein said second confinement layer is bonded to the ceramic layer and the first metallic layer using a urethane matrix. 
   
   
       28 . An armor as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said first metallic layer is equal to, or less than, 10% of the thickness of the ceramic layer. 
   
   
       29 . An armor as claimed in  claim 3  wherein said confinement layer is approximately twice as thick as the first metallic layer, and wherein said composite layer is much thicker than said ceramic layer, and wherein said anti-trauma layer is much thicker than the ceramic layer and not as thick as the composite layer. 
   
   
       30 .- 38 . (canceled) 
   
   
       39 . An armor as claimed in  claim 5  wherein said confinement layer is approximately twice as thick as the first metallic layer, and wherein said composite layer is much thicker than said ceramic layer, and wherein said anti-trauma layer is much thicker than the ceramic layer and not as thick as the composite layer.