Penetration resistance of bioinspired nacre-like SiC ceramic/ASP polyurea structure under projectile impact loading: Experiment and simulation

To enhance the ballistic resistance of ceramic structures, a new type of composite plate with a nacre-like structure (NLS) was developed, combining SiC ceramic and adaptive, slow-polymerizing(ASP) polyurea (different from spray polyurea, ASP polyurea has a long curing time and can adapt to the spatial structure of the mold through fluid flow, and finally solidify). This design was inspired by the layered structure of nacre in biomaterials. The NLS's anti-penetration capability against a 12.7 mm armor-piercing incendiary (API) round was tested and compared to a pure ceramic plate of equal density, showing a 34 % increase in protection coefficient. Numerical simulations indicated that the NLS composite significantly improved energy absorption upon impact. The research suggests that the NLS can alter stress wave propagation in the target, leveraging the soft ASP polyurea and the hard SiC ceramic to disrupt the projectile's motion and reduce penetration effectiveness. This approach offers innovative insights for developing advanced ceramic-based ballistic protection.