New Lamination Method for Armor Panels

MS&T 2009 Presentation

Abstract

Materials Science and Technology Conference
Pittsbug, PA
Authors: Shawn Allan, Morgana Fall, Holly Shulman
Presenter: Shawn Allan

A new patented technique was developed for fast, energy efficient lamination. The technology can be used for many laminated armor systems including transparent armor. The method uses a radio frequency press to apply energy directly to the interlayer bonding materials, where the heat is needed. A 90% decrease in the energy required for lamination was demonstrated. The structural layers, such as the ceramic strike face and polycarbonate spall shield, are not directly heated by RF energy. Energy is not wasted in the unnecessary heating of the structural materials. RF lamination replaces the slow energy intensive autoclaving batch process, and allows a fast semi-continuous process which takes less than five minutes. Results from several armor material systems will be presented.