Damage Characteristics of SiC and B₄C Ballistic Insert Plates Subjected to Multi-hit

The ballistic impact tests of SiC and B₄C ballistic insert plates were conducted with 87-type 5.8 mm steel core projectile. Through the analysis on the depth of penetration in clay witness, bulge volume at the back of the ballistic insert plates, and impact damage being nondestructively tested by digital radiograph (DR), the damage characteristics of SiC and B₄C ballistic insert plates after multi-hit were investigated. Meanwhile, the microstructures and mechanical properties of ceramic materials were also studied. The results show that SiC and B₄C ballistic insert plates effectively resist 87-type 5.8 mm steel core projectile for 3 times and show good multi-hit capability. The depths of penetration in clay witness of B₄C ballistic insert plate are comparable with SiC ballistic insert plate. Compared with SiC ballistic insert plate, the volume of bulge at the back of B₄C ballistic insert plate is reduced by more than 35%, and the average diameter of the ceramic cone of B₄C ballistic insert plate is increased by more than 30%. The impact energy of the projectile is effectively absorbed by the B₄C ballistic insert plate, which attributes to the high hardness of B₄C ceramic.