Armor system having ceramic matrix composite layers

Abstract

An example armor system includes a first ceramic matrix composite armor layer, a second ceramic matrix composite armor layer, and a monolithic ceramic armor layer directly bonded to the first and the second ceramic matrix composite armor layers.

I claim: 
     
         1 . An armor system, comprising:
 a first ceramic matrix composite armor layer;   a second ceramic matrix composite armor layer; and   a monolithic ceramic armor layer directly bonded to the first and the second ceramic matrix composite armor layers.   
     
     
         2 . The armor system of  claim 1 , wherein a first side of the monolithic ceramic armor layer is directly bonded to the first ceramic matrix composite armor layer, and an opposing, second side of the monolithic ceramic armor layer is bonded to the second ceramic matrix composite armor layer. 
     
     
         3 . The armor system of  claim 1 , wherein the armor system is free of any polymer or metal-based adhesive between the monolithic ceramic armor layer, the first ceramic matrix composite armor layer, and the second ceramic matrix composite armor layer. 
     
     
         4 . The armor system of  claim 1 , including a fibrous polymeric backing layer directly bonded to the second ceramic matrix composite armor layer. 
     
     
         5 . The armor system of  claim 1 , wherein the first ceramic matrix composite armor layer and the second ceramic matrix composite layer include a monolithic ceramic material selected from silicon nitride, silicon aluminum oxynitride, silicon carbide, silicon oxynitride, aluminum nitride, aluminum oxide, hafnium oxide, zirconia, siliconized silicon carbide, and boron carbide. 
     
     
         6 . The armor system of  claim 1 , wherein the first ceramic matrix composite armor layer, the second ceramic matrix composite armor layer, or both the first and second ceramic matrix composite armor layers comprise a ceramic matrix having a unidirectionally oriented fibers disposed within the ceramic matrix. 
     
     
         7 . The armor system of  claim 6 , wherein the unidirectionally oriented fibers are located within a plurality of sublayers of the ceramic matrix, and at least one of the plurality of sublayers includes unidirectionally oriented fibers having a different orientation than the unidirectionally oriented fibers of another of the plurality of sublayers. 
     
     
         8 . The armor system of  claim 1 , wherein the monolithic ceramic armor layer comprises a silicon carbide. 
     
     
         9 . The armor system of  claim 8 , wherein the silicon carbide is a hot-pressed silicon carbide. 
     
     
         10 . The armor system of  claim 1 , wherein the ceramic matrix composite armor layers consist of a matrix comprised of an alkaline earth aluminosilicate. 
     
     
         11 . The armor system of  claim 1 , wherein the armor system is configured to prevent a bullet from piercing the armor system, and a thickness of the monolithic ceramic armor layer is generally 70 percent of a caliber of the bullet. 
     
     
         12 . The armor system of  claim 1 , wherein the armor system is configured to prevent a projectile from piercing the armor system, and a thickness of the monolithic ceramic armor layer is between 60 percent and 85 percent of a diameter of the projectile. 
     
     
         13 . The armor system of  claim 12 , wherein the armor system is configured to prevent a projectile from piercing the armor system, and a thickness of the monolithic ceramic armor layer is between 80 percent and 85 percent of a diameter of the projectile. 
     
     
         14 . The armor system of  claim 1 , wherein the armor system is disposed within an armor panel that is located in at least one of portion of an armored vest or a vehicle. 
     
     
         15 . The armor system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first or second ceramic matrix composite armor layers is a glass-ceramic matrix composite armor layer. 
     
     
         16 . An armor system, comprising:
 a first ceramic matrix composite armor layer;   a second ceramic matrix composite armor layer;   a monolithic ceramic armor layer having a first side and an opposing, second side, the first side directly bonded to the first ceramic matrix composite armor layer and free of any adhesive therebetween, the second side directly bonded to the second ceramic matrix composite armor layer and free of any adhesive therebetween; and   a fibrous polymeric backing layer directly bonded to the second ceramic matrix composite armor layer.   
     
     
         17 . The armor system of  claim 16 , wherein at least one of the first or second ceramic matrix armor layer comprises a matrix consisting of an alkaline earth aluminosilicate. 
     
     
         18 . The armor system of  claim 16 , wherein the first ceramic matrix composite matrix armor layer and the second ceramic matrix composite armor layer each comprise a plurality of sub-layers that each include a ceramic matrix and unidirectionally oriented fibers disposed within the ceramic matrix, and at least one of the plurality of sub-layers having a different orientation than another of the sub-layers relative to the unidirectionally oriented fibers. 
     
     
         19 . A method of manufacturing an armor system, comprising:
 forming a first glass-ceramic matrix composite armor layer on a first side of a monolithic ceramic armor layer such that the first glass-ceramic matrix composite armor layer is directly bonded to the monolithic ceramic armor layer and free of any adhesive therebetween; and   forming a second glass-ceramic matrix composite armor layer on an opposing, second side of the monolithic ceramic armor layer such that the second glass-ceramic matrix composite layer is directly bonded to the monolithic ceramic armor layer and free of any adhesive therebetween,   wherein the first and second glass-ceramic matrix composite armor layers each comprise a ceramic matrix and unidirectionally oriented fibers disposed within the ceramic matrix.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , including forming a polyethylene fiber layer on a side of the second glass-ceramic matrix composite armor layer. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the matrix of the glass-ceramic armor layers are comprised of an alkaline earth aluminosilicate.