Silicon Carbide (SiC) provides effective ballistic protection from various threats. Not only is it effective against bullets but also armor-piercing rounds and high-velocity fragments.
SiC plates offer excellent chemical resistance as well as thermal stability and minimal expansion rates, making it the ideal material choice for body armor applications.
Ballistic Performance
Ballistic applications demand armor materials which fracture and erode projectiles before they reach their targets, and studies have revealed ceramic-based materials can do this effectively and are often lighter weight than steel for providing equivalent levels of protection.
At the center of this invention lies a process to siliconize a permeable mass or preform composed of silicon carbide fibers by infiltrating it with a molten silicon infiltrant, more commonly referred to as reaction bonding, for dimensionally accurate ceramic molding applications.
Example 4 and 5 demonstrate that reaction-bonded silicon carbide composite tiles derived from this process possess excellent ballistic properties, with V50 values between 2649 ft/s (with an approximate velocity spread of 74.5 ft/s) for 7.62 mm ball projectiles fired across an array of projectile velocities.
Resistance to Chemical Agents
Silicon carbide plates offer superior protection than other protective materials like Kevlar, which degrade with time. Because silicon carbide plates remain resistant to degradation, they remain intact while providing wearers with protection in harsh environments. Therefore, silicon carbide plates are frequently combined with other protective materials for multi-threat body armor systems.
Ballistic plates are also commonly utilized in the construction of ballistic shields and barricades used by military and law enforcement officials during high-risk situations to protect themselves against bullets and edged weapons, thus saving many lives both within the military and among civilian populations.
A reaction-bonded silicon carbide (RBSC) body can be created by attaching a fibrous carbon cloth or preform to the back face of an armor body preform containing silicon carbide particulate and carbon, then spraying a molten infiltrant that contains silicon over it; this leads to chemical conversion of carbon cloth or preform to reaction-bonded silicon carbide ceramics.
Thermal Insulation
Silicon carbide (SiC) is one of the hardest non-oxide ceramics, second only to diamond and cubic boron nitride. SiC exhibits superior mechanical properties, oxidation resistance, low coefficient of friction, as well as many other impressive attributes.
After being sintered, body armor undergoes rigorous tests to assess its ballistic performance and durability. These include firing various projectiles at various velocities to gauge how effective its material is at stopping bullets from striking its wearer’s body and protecting from injury.
Additionally, the National Institute of Justice standard mandates body armor be certified effective against multiple shots; this ensures both manufacturers and end-users can rely on its safety. Furthermore, research efforts are resulting in multifunctional body armor capable of self-healing capabilities as well as thermal insulation features.
Durability
Silicon carbide body armor stands out as an exceptional material due to its longevity compared to more traditional materials, meaning military and law enforcement personnel will remain protected for as long as possible. This unique material’s durability allows its effectiveness to endure over time ensuring long term security against threats for troops in both militaries.
Researchers have recently discovered that adding just a small amount of silicon to boron carbide, a material often used for bullet-resistant gear, can dramatically increase its resilience against high-speed impacts. The ceramic created combines silicon’s unrivaled hardness with boron’s ability to absorb energy over time and becomes much more effective as a result.
Reaction-bonded silicon carbide composite (RBSC) offers superior shape and size retention compared to hot-pressed SiC, making it the superior choice for weight-sensitive applications. Furthermore, its performance-to-weight ratio outshines that of aluminum alumina on steel core threats.
Weight
Silicon carbide, in contrast to heavy steel materials which wear down over time, is relatively lightweight and therefore allows wearers to move more freely while remaining comfortable without compromising protection capabilities.
Reaction-bonded silicon carbide composite body armor (RBSC) can maintain its size and shape more reliably than hot pressed and sintered monolithic ceramics, which makes them particularly suitable for meeting National Institute of Justice standards, which include rigorous testing protocols to ensure compliance. This feature makes RBSCs suitable for producing body armor required to meet performance requirements such as those laid out by the NIJ.
RBSC can protect against an array of threats, from steel-core AP bullets and armor-piercing rounds to high velocity fragments and chemical agents, making it the ideal choice for those seeking long-term, durable protection that can withstand multiple attacks. Furthermore, its lightweight structure has low thermal expansion allowing it to withstand impacts without deforming or cracking under impact.
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