LIGHTWEIGHT MULTI-COMPONENT ARMOR

摘要

Devices and methods are disclosed which relate to a composite armor for providing protection to vehicles, vessels and the like, through use of material that is lightweight, strong, and durable. Exemplary embodiments provide an array of ceramic spheres within a ductile metal or polymeric material which distributes the impact of a projectile across a greater area. In certain exemplary embodiments, the present invention provides an armor plate for protection against projectiles and fragments. Energy from a projectile's impact upon a sphere of the array is spread throughout the array, dissipating the energy. By using small discrete spherical units within the layer, the ability of the layer to withstand multiple hits is improved.