Fiber reinforced ceramic matrix composite armor

摘要

An integrated, layered armor structure having multiple layers which alternate in their exhibited characteristics between extremely hard and ductile. The extremely hard layers of the armor structure are designed to shatter an impacting projectile, or pieces thereof, and to fracture in such a way as to dissipate at least a portion of the kinetic energy associated with the projectile pieces and to disperse the projectile pieces and hard layer fragments over a wide area. The ductile layers of the armor structure are designed to yield under the force of impinging projectile pieces and hard layer fragments from an adjacent hard layer. This yielding dissipates at least a portion of the remaining kinetic energy of these pieces and fragments. Pieces and fragments not possessing sufficient kinetic energy to tear through the ductile layer are trapped therein and so stopped.