Hybride Composite Armour Systems with Advanced Ceramics and Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) Fibres

The aim of the research was to develop a new concept of hybride composite armour systems consisting of a ceramic and fibrous composite. Depending on the requirements for ballistic protection, armour systems may be designed to various configurations and weights based on the most suitable ceramic materials and backing. The article describes the development of a hybrid ceramic- multi-layered ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) composite armour made from silicon carbide (SiC) or aluminium oxide (Al2O3) of different thicknesses (3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, 17.27 and 13.35 mm) and shapes (hexagonal and cylindrical) in combination with a polyethylene fibrous composite. Additionally research work developed a confinement system for the hybrid ceramic- multi-layered UHMWPE composite armour which significantly improves the ballistic performance of composite armour by creation of a uniform compression condition of the ceramic and by reducing its fragmentation upon impact. The ballistic armour strength was tested according to the PN-V-87000:2011, NIJ 0101.04 standard and NATO STANAG 4569 (AEP-55 Vol.1) standard for protection against more than one shot (multi-hit). The hybrid ceramic- multi-layered UHMWPE composite armour was combined with basic fibrous ballistic armours which exhibited a ballistic strength compatible with level 111,4 according to the NIJ 0101.04 standard and classes K2 and 03 according to the PN-V-87000: 2011 standard.