Glasses and ceramics

Abstract

Glasses and ceramics are the most important class of armour materials. The ceramics, in particular, make very effective disruptors. However, they are very brittle in nature and different design rules need to be applied when constructing ceramic-composite armour systems. In this powerful chapter, key properties and drivers are reported, as well as the complex array of energy-absorbing mechanisms and failure modes. The constitution of both the traditional glasses and the more advanced transparent crystalline ceramics are covered, including a new review of the alternative systems (Sapphire, AlONs and Spinels), manufacturing methods and their respective ballistic performance. The higher-performi..