LIGHTWEIGHT ARMOR WITH REPEAT HIT AND HIGH ENERGY ABSORPTION CAPABILITIES

A lightweight armor (10) with repeat hit capability includes at least one layer of material (20) that absorbs energy upon being impacted by an object through a reversible phase change and/or an elastic strain deformation of at least 5%. Once the energy of the object has been absorbed the layer of material (20) returns to its original shape, thereby resulting in a armor (10) with repeat hit capabilities. The armor may also include additional layers of material (30,40) constructed of conventional armor materials. A method of manufacturing such an armor is also disclosed. A lightweight armor with repeat hit capability includes at least one layer of material that absorbs energy upon being impacted by an object through a reversible phase change and/or an elastic strain deformation of at least 5%. Once the energy of the object has been absorbed the layer of material returns to its original shape, thereby resulting in a armor with repeat hit capabilities. The armor may also include additional layers of material constructed of conventional armor materials. A method of manufacturing such an armor is also disclosed. Un dispositif de blindage léger pouvant supporter des chocs répétés, comprend au moins une couche de matériau qui absorbe l'énergie lorsqu'elle est heurtée par un objet; pour supporter ces chocs, le matériau subit un changement de phase réversible et/ou une déformation de la contrainte élastique d'au moins 5 %. Après avoir absorbé l'énergie de l'objet, la couche de matériau revient à sa forme de départ, ce qui confère au dispositif de blindage ses capacités à supporter des chocs répétés. Le dispositif de blindage peut également comprendre des couches additionnelles de matériau de blindage classiques. Un procédé de fabrication d'un tel dispositif de blindage est également présenté.