Ballistic ceramics and analysis of their mechanical properties for armour applications: A review

The most commonly used ballistic ceramics (alumina, silicon carbide, and boron carbide) are compared via various performance mechanisms in this review. This work aimed to study the mechanical properties of ceramics and their role in the dynamic ballistic performance of materials to address the controversy in the literature regarding the feasibility of comparing static properties with the dynamic performance of ceramics. The best ballistic performance against the family of calibre 7.62 AP projectiles was obtained by silicon carbide, followed by alumina and boron carbide. The correlation of hardness and flexural strength with the performance of ceramics in depth of penetration tests was verified. The ballistic performance of ceramics is shown to be dependent on several properties. The microstructure of ceramics has a direct influence on all the mechanical properties. Hardness is vital in fracturing and eroding projectiles. Fracture toughness and flexural strength help the ceramic to withstand multiple impacts. The elastic modulus is related to stress wave propagation. The fracture mode is linked to the amount of energy absorbed by the ceramic. Thus, improvements in several properties are necessary for their combination to result in a more efficient ballistic ceramic.