On the improvement of the ballistic performance of a silicon carbide tile through pre-stress: Experiments and simulations

A pre-stressing technique for improving the ballistic performance of a circular silicon carbide tile has been tested against ø12-mm spherical steel projectile. The confining pre-stress was achieved through a heat-shrunk steel collar and was evaluated through neutron diffraction for the ceramic-collar system. Subsequent ballistic experiments and simulations of the impact event were used to elucidate the mechanisms and benefits of pre-stress on the ballistic response. CT-scans of various specimens, post-impact, show that the pre-stress affects the trajectory of the Hertzian cone and limits the overall damage. Furthermore, simulations qualitatively agreed with the experimental result, showing a reduction in crack propagation and altered paths of damage. Greater confining stress led to higher negative triaxiality, which act to arrest the tensile hoop stresses and corresponding cracks. •Measured strain in pre-stressed SiC tiles using neutron diffraction.•Pre-stress alters Hertzian cone morphology during ballistic loading.•Cover plate behaviour a metric for ballistic performance.•Computational model informs fracture response. [Display omitted]