Ballistic Performance of Alumina and Zirconia-toughened Alumina Against 7.62 Armour Piercing Projectile

  • S G. Savio Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory, Hyderabad
  • V Madhu Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory, Hyderabad
  • A. K. Gogia Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory, Hyderabad
Keywords: Zirconia-toughened alumina, depth of penetration, ballistic efficiency, armour ceramic, Alumina, Zirconia, differential efficiency factor

Abstract

A study was carried out to compare the ballistic performance of high purity alumina and zirconia-toughened alumina (ZTA) using depth of penetration (DoP) test configuration against 7.62 mm armour piercing (AP) ammunition. The effect of tile thickness on the differential efficiency factor (DEF) was studied for tile thickness in the range of 3 mm to 6 mm for alumina tiles and 3 mm to 5 mm for ZTA tiles. The DEF is found to increase as tile thickness increases. An analysis on the failed shots showed that the residual shot weight does not follow a single linear relationship with ceramic tile thickness unlike the residual DoP for all thicknesses of tiles. Post-ballistic analysis on ceramic powder for particle size distribution was carried out and the results are presented.

Defence Science Journal, Vol. 64, No. 5, September 2014, pp.477-483, DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.14429/dsj.64.6745

Author Biographies

S G. Savio, Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory, Hyderabad
Mr S.G. Savio, obtained his MSc (Materials Science) and M.Tech (Ceramic Technology) from Anna University, Chennai. He joined DRDO in 2002. Currently, he is working as Scientist D in Armour Design and Development Division, DMRLMRLMRL, involved in evaluation of ballistic performance for ceramic armour materials. His research interests are in the areas of development and characterisation of ceramic armour materials, ballistic testing and analysis and high strain rate studies on armour materials.
V Madhu, Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory, Hyderabad
Dr Vemuri Madhu, obtained did his PhD (Applied Mechanics) from the Indian Institution of Technology Delhi, New Delhi in 1993. Currently, he is working as Scientist G at the Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory (DMRLMRLMRL), Hyderabad. He is a recipient of the DRDO Performance Excellence Award (2008), Laboratory Scientist of the Year Award (2006). He has more than 50 research papers and technical reports to his credit. His research interests are in the areas of ceramic and composite armour development, modelling and simulation of ballistic phenomena, high strain rate characterization and shock studies on armour materials and development of protective systems for military and civil applications.
A. K. Gogia, Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory, Hyderabad
Dr A.K. Gogia is working as Scientist H at Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory (DMRLMRL), Hyderabad. He is working in the areas of development of titanium alloys for aerospace applications and design and development of armour for various protective applications.
Published
2014-08-12
How to Cite
Savio, S., Madhu, V., & Gogia, A. (2014). Ballistic Performance of Alumina and Zirconia-toughened Alumina Against 7.62 Armour Piercing Projectile. Defence Science Journal, 64(5), 477-483. https://doi.org/10.14429/dsj.64.6745
Section
Engineering Science & Technology