Influence of aluminum alloys on protection performance of metal matrix composite armor reinforced with ceramic particles under ballistic impact

• Published in: Ceramics international Vol. 49; no. 19; pp. 30937 - 30950
• Main Authors: Akbari, Tayebeh, Ansari, Ali, Rahimi Pishbijari, Masoomeh
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01-10-2023
• Subjects: Aluminum matrix; Ballistic; Ceramic-reinforced; Experiment; Simulation; Ceramic-reinforced; Simulation; Ballistic; Aluminum matrix; Experiment
• ISSN: 0272-8842; 1873-3956
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ceramint.2023.07.046

In this research, the ballistic performance of three series of aluminum alloys in the ceramic-reinforced metal matrix composite plates is investigated for protecting against 7.62 × 39 mm bullet. Twenty seven numerical models of the target combinations are provided by ABAQUS FE code to determine the best armor characteristics and confirmed by three experimental ballistic tests. The parameters which considered in this study are aluminum alloys: AA6061, AA7075 and AA5083 as the matrix, alumina ball weight percentages include 15%, 30% and 45% as reinforcements and the target thickness 20, 25 and 30 mm and the effects of these parameters on the ballistic behavior of the composite armor like depth of penetration, residual velocity, kinetic energy and erosion of the projectile are investigated. The results show that AA6061 is the weakest aluminum alloy for ballistic applications and AA5083 is the best choice to use as the aluminum matrix. Also, it's found that the optimum design of aluminum matrix composite armor against 7.62 × 39 mm projectile is AA5083 with 25 mm thickness and 30% alumina.