Mechanical, microstructural properties and ballistic performance of SiC/Si ceramics against 5.56 x 45 mm projectile

Abstract

Modern armed conflicts heavily rely on technology to ensure the safety of combatants in police operations, tactical warfare, or military engagements. The use of ceramic armor has become common to provide protection against high-caliber munitions, making it essential to optimize these materials for a combination of lightness and strength. In this context, this study justifies the use of silicon (Si) as a reinforcement in silicon carbide (SiC) to reduce the ceramics' density without compromising their mechanical properties and ballistic performance. The addition of Si allows a reduction in the density of sintered samples with 15 and 25 vol% Si, contributing to the material's lightness, a crucial factor for user mobility. The results show that despite the lower density, the hardness of SiC ceramics increased with higher Si additions, though there was a decrease in flexural strength and elastic modulus. Ballistic tests demonstrated that the produced ceramics effectively withstood the firing of 5.56 × 45 mm caliber ammunition, meeting the requirements of the new standard under development for ballistic materials, NIJ 0123.00. This research makes significant contributions to the development of advanced armor systems, enhancing combatant safety through lightweight, high-performance ballistic materials.