The Effect of Inter-Tile Gap on Alumina-Aluminum Plates Impacted by a Steel Projectile

Abstract

The ballistic performance of the joint between two adjacent ceramic tiles is investigated. It is well known that the performance as such locations is worse due to lack of confinement. However, it is desirable to know the drop in performance as a function of the joint width. Experiments are presented in which aluminum oxide tiles backed by aluminum are impacted with hardened steel cylinders. Residual velocities and the state of perforating projectile were monitored with high speed camera. It was concluded that the performance drop was proportional to the increase in width of the seam. As the seam width increased the armor was less likely to fracture the projectile and the area of aluminum backing that is loaded by fractured ceramic was reduced.