Quantitative gap measurement in ceramic armor arrays /

In order to reduce weight while maintaining ballistic performance, modern armored vehicles often use ceramic-based armor solutions. Ceramic solutions are typically made of a close-fitting periodic array of ceramic tiles, maintaining a specific gap dimension between the tiles. The gap separation dist...

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Bibliographic Details
Corporate Author:	U.S. Army Research Laboratory
Other Authors:	Ghiorse, Seth
Format:	Government Document eBook
Language:	English
Published:	Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD : Army Research Laboratory, [2010]
Series:	ARL-TR (Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md.) ; 5303.
Subjects:	Coatings, colorants and finishes. Combat Vehicles. Nuclear Physics & Elementary Particle Physics. Ceramic materials. Armored vehicles. X rays. Arrays. Accuracy. Radiography. Tiles. Armor. Inspection. Ballistics. Measurement. Digital systems. Quality. Armored vehicles, Military > Protection. Reactive armor tiles. Ceramic materials > Nondestructive testing. Armor-plate > Materials > Nondestructive testing. CERAMIC ARRAY
Online Access:	https://purl.fdlp.gov/GPO/gpo9236

Description
Summary:	In order to reduce weight while maintaining ballistic performance, modern armored vehicles often use ceramic-based armor solutions. Ceramic solutions are typically made of a close-fitting periodic array of ceramic tiles, maintaining a specific gap dimension between the tiles. The gap separation distance is critical to the ballistic performance of the system and it is important to have a reliable means of quantitative inspection. This report presents results of a study of a non-destructive quantitative X-ray gap width measurement method commonly used to measure and inspect array gaps. It was found that this X-ray method gives a good portrayal of array quality and gap widths, but that gap measurement accuracy likely can be improved. The X-ray method was found to skew gap width measurements higher, between 2 and 20%, and was dependent on image blur. An X-ray system designed specifically for gap measurement will significantly improve measurement accuracy. Obtaining such a system is recommended, with digital X-ray radiography being the preferred path forward.
Item Description:	Title from title screen (viewed June 28, 2011). Performing organization: U.S. Army Research Laboratory. Electronic resource.
Physical Description:	1 online resource (v, 32 pages) : illustrations (some color).
Bibliography:	Includes bibliographical references.
Access:	APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE.