Foreign Cooperating Institutions - Institute of Inorganic Chemistry ...

Transparent armours with enhanced ballistic resistance
D. Galusek, M. Michálková, J. Sedláček, P. Švančárek
The cooperation of the Joint Glass Centre Vitrum Laugaricio with the partners from Czech
Republic, Russia and Ukraine in development of transparent ceramic ballistic protections was
focused on research and development of transparent alumina-based materials with excellent
mechanical properties. The principal problem addressed by the project was the development
of practical material, technological, and construction solutions of a new generation of
transparent armour systems with a protection capacity against AP small calibre ammunition
(7,62 x 51 AP) comparable to recently produced thick layered armour concepts made of
strengthened float glass at simultaneous significant reduction of weight and thickness. The
result is the solution of layered armour system with ultra hard impact layers made of sapphire
single crystal, which at the total thickness of 60 mm provides the same level of ballistic
protection as a layered glass of the thickness 120 - 140 mm. The armour has been successfully
tested at the certified shooting range in Slavicin, Czech Republic, and earned the certificate
for the Level 3 protection according to the STANAG 4569 standard.
Fig. 1 Sample of bullet proof window with
surface sheet made of sapphire single
crystal. The sample was exhibited at the
presentation of accomplishments of the
NATO scientific programmes at NATO
headquarters in Brussels and at the IDET
trade fair in Brno.
Further information: D. Galusek: Galusek@tnuni.sk
Fig. 2 Protective shutters on the tested
transparent armour. A network of cracks can be
seen after the second hit with an AP bullet with
ultra hard WC core. The armour successfully
defeated three hits with the AP bullet with
impact velocity 930 m/s. Such bullet can pierce
a 20 mm thick steel armour.
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