Synthesis and mechanical characterization of alumina based composite material for armor application

This study focuses on development of advance ceramic with improved toughness which can be used as armor material for personnel protection. Toughness is the characteristics that defines material resistance to fracture. Ceramics are important class of materials with combination of good strength, toughness and with stand multiple-striking. In this study, three different samples i.e. alumina, Zirconia toughened alumina (ZTA), and alumina incorporated with SiC (SiCA); hexagonal shape samples were made by dry pressing and sintered at 1600^oC in argon atmosphere. Microstructural characterization: SEM and Optical microscopy demonstrated fine grain size distribution in matrix phase. BSE images confirmed the presence of ZrO₂ particles. High porosity of about 6.35% was observed in SiCA samples. EDX analysis confirms the composition. Mechanical characterization showed improved toughness at the expense of hardness. SiCA samples showed maximum value of hardness while ZTA showed maximum toughness of 4.6 MPa·m^1/2. The obtained properties are comparable to other ceramic materials prepared by different methods.