The combination of physical and mechanical properties qualifies ceramic materials for applications in ballistic protection systems. Ceramics usually form the first layer of a mixed shielding system, getting the initial impact of the projectile, and dissipating much of the kinetic energy of the projectile fragments. The main ceramic materials for ballistic armor are alumina, silicon carbide and boron carbide. New processing techniques of ceramic materials as well as modeling the mechanism of fracture under high energy impact are areas that have been widely investigated. Developments particularly in the area of ceramic matrix composites reinforced with fibers or based on transformation toughening open new perspectives for better performance and use of ceramic-based ballistic protection systems.
ballistic protection; armor; impact; alumina; silicon carbine; boron carbide; ceramic matrix composites
