Armor panel

Abstract

An armor panel for ballistic protection, comprising at least an armor layer which is at least partially made of cemented carbide in the form of metal-carbide aggregate embedded within a metal binder matrix.

1 . An armor panel for ballistic protection, comprising at least an armor layer which is at least partially made of cemented carbide in the form of metal-carbide aggregate embedded within a metal binder matrix. 
   
   
       2 . An armor panel according to  claim 1 , wherein the metal-carbide aggregate is in the form of grains having a grain size not exceeding 20 μm. 
   
   
       3 . An armor panel according to  claim 1 , wherein the composition is such that said metal-carbide aggregate constitutes at least one of the following:
 (i) at least 70% by volume; and   (ii) at least 80% by weight.   
   
   
       4 . An armor panel according to  claim 1 , wherein the composition is such that said metal binder matrix constitutes at least one of the following:
 (i) No more than 30% by volume; and   (ii) No more than 80% by weight.   
   
   
       5 . An armor panel according to  claim 1 , wherein said carbide aggregate has a melting point ranging from 1800÷3990° C. 
   
   
       6 . An armor panel according to  claim 1 , wherein the metal of said metal binder has a melting point ranging between 1450÷1536° C. 
   
   
       7 . An armor panel according to  claim 1 , wherein said cemented carbide has a fracture toughness ranging from 7÷20 Mpa*(m 1/2 ). 
   
   
       8 . An armor panel according to  claim 1 , wherein said cemented carbide has a hardness ranging from 87÷93 HRa. 
   
   
       9 . An armor panel according to  claim 1 , wherein said cemented carbide has a density ranging from 5.5÷15.5 gr/cc. 
   
   
       10 . An armor panel according to  claim 1 , wherein said cemented carbide has a porosity ranging from 0÷2%. 
   
   
       11 . An armor panel according to  claim 1 , wherein said metal-carbide aggregate has a higher melting point than that of said metal binder. 
   
   
       12 . An armor panel according to  claim 1 , wherein said metal-carbide aggregate has a lower fracture toughness than that of said metal binder. 
   
   
       13 . An armor panel according to  claim 1 , wherein said armor layer is a single cemented carbide monolith. 
   
   
       14 . An armor panel according to  claim 1 , wherein said armor layer comprises a plurality of cemented carbide pellets. 
   
   
       15 . An armor layer for use in ballistic armor made of cemented carbide in the form of a metal-carbide aggregate embedded within a metal matrix, wherein the metal of said metal-carbide is a refractory metal. 
   
   
       16 . A method of manufacture of an armor panel, including manufacture of an armor layer at least partially made of cemented carbide in the form of a metal-carbide aggregate embedded within a metal matrix, and incorporating said armor layer within said armor panel.