Microstructure and Ballistic Performance of Layered Metal-Matrix Composite Armour Based on Ti–6Al–4V Alloy and Strengthened with TiC

P. E. Markovsky$^{1}$, D. G. Savvakin$^{1}$, S. V. Prikhodko$^{2}$, O. O. Stasyuk$^{1}$, S. H. Sedov$^{3}$, V. A. Golub$^{3}$, V. A. Kurban$^{3}$, E. V. Stecenko$^{3}$

$^{1}$G. V. Kurdyumov Institute for Metal Physics, NAS of Ukraine, 36 Academician Vernadsky Blvd., UA-03142 Kyiv, Ukraine
$^{2}$University of California, Los-Angeles, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
$^{3}$The National Defence University of Ukraine named after Ivan Cherniakhovskyi, 28 Povitroflotskyi Ave., UA-03049 Kyiv, Ukraine

Received: 07.08.2020. Download: PDF

The alloy Ti–6Al–4V and composites on its base reinforced with 5 to 80% vol. TiC are manufactured by press-and-sinter approach using TiH$_2$, Al–V master alloy and TiC powder blends. Increase in TiC content up to 40% provides effective structure consolidation and continuous rise of material hardness. Composites fabricated at higher than 40% TiC content demonstrate insufficient integrity of the sintered structure due to excessive porosity. Using these data, 3 and 4 layers plates consisted of Ti–6Al–4V alloy and composites on its base containing from 10% to 40% TiC are made. Fabricated plates with dimensions of 90$\times$90 mm and a thickness of 11–32 mm demonstrate complete integration between the layers and are suitable for the ballistic examination. Performed ballistic tests reveal an enhanced resistance of multilayered plates against piercing by various bullets types, which exceeds the performance by 7–40% when compared to the conventional Ti–6Al–4V alloy in terms of the specific kinetic energy required for the plate piercing. Kinetic energy of bullets is mainly dissipated by the deformation of the hard surface composite layers with 20% and, especially, 40% TiC, leaving not much energy for bullet to penetrate deep into subsequent ductile alloy layer.

Key words: titanium alloys, metal matrix composites, layered microstructures, mechanical properties, projectiles, ballistic tests.

URL: http://mfint.imp.kiev.ua/en/abstract/v42/i11/1509.html

DOI: https://doi.org/10.15407/mfint.42.11.1509

PACS: 62.20.M-, 81.05.Mh, 81.20.Ev, 81.40.-z, 81.70.Bt

Citation: P. E. Markovsky, D. G. Savvakin, S. V. Prikhodko, O. O. Stasyuk, S. H. Sedov, V. A. Golub, V. A. Kurban, and E. V. Stecenko, Microstructure and Ballistic Performance of Layered Metal-Matrix Composite Armour Based on Ti–6Al–4V Alloy and Strengthened with TiC, Metallofiz. Noveishie Tekhnol., 42, No. 11: 1509—1524 (2020)


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