Abstract: The present invention contemplates the addition of zirconium compounds to well known ceramic ballistic materials to increase resistance to penetration by projectiles. In the preferred embodiments of the present invention, the zirconium compound that is employed consists of ZrO2 and is provided in the range of about 0.1% to about 11%, by weight, of starting material before densification. Preferred ranges of proportion of ZrO2 in the finished ceramic material are in the ranges of about 0.30% to about 0.75%, by weight, or about 8-9%, by weight. The ballistic material using the combination of SiC with low volume of sintering aid and ZrO2 raises the theoretical density of the ceramic material to between 3.225 and 3.40 g/cc, which is slightly higher than the typical 3.22 g/cc theoretical density for hot pressed fully dense SiC.

Abstract: The present invention contemplates the addition of zirconium compounds to well known ceramic ballistic materials to increase resistance to penetration by projectiles. In the preferred embodiments of the present invention, the zirconium compound that is employed consists of ZrO2 and is provided in the range of about 0.1% to about 11%, by weight, of starting material before densification. Preferred ranges of proportion of ZrO2 in the finished ceramic material are in the ranges of about 0.30% to about 0.75%, by weight, or about 8-9%, by weight. The ballistic material using the combination of SiC with low volume of sintering aid and ZrO2 raises the theoretical density of the ceramic material to between 3.225 and 3.40 g/cc, which is slightly higher than the typical 3.22 g/cc theoretical density for hot pressed fully dense SiC.

Abstract: A ceramic armor is disclosed in several embodiments. In a first embodiment, a metal base plate has a metal frame assembled on it having a central opening into which the ceramic material is placed. A cover plate is placed over the frame to enclose the ceramic material on all sides. In a second embodiment, the frame has an open central area that has two crossing walls that define four sub-chambers. Four pieces of ceramic material are placed in the respective sub-chambers and a covering plate is placed over it. In a further embodiment, the frame has a plurality of cavities mechanically formed in it. A ceramic tile or plate is placed in each cavity and a cover plate is placed over the frame. The metal used to encapsulate the ceramic material may, if desired, comprise a Titanium alloy such as Ti-6Al-4V, and the ceramic material may comprise Silicon Carbide, Boron Carbide, Tungsten Carbide, Titanium Diboride or Aluminum Nitride.

Abstract: A ceramic armor is disclosed in several embodiments. In a first embodiment, a metal base plate has a metal frame assembled on it having a central opening into which the ceramic material and stiffening plate are placed. A cover plate is placed over the frame to enclose the ceramic material on all sides. In a second embodiment, the frame has an open central area that has two crossing walls that define four sub-chambers. Four sets of ceramic material and stiffening plate are placed in the respective sub-chambers and a covering plate is placed over them. In a further embodiment, the frame has a plurality of cavities mechanically formed in it. A stiffening plate and a ceramic tile or plate are placed in each cavity and a cover plate is placed over the frame. The metal used to encapsulate the ceramic material may, if desired, comprise a Titanium alloy such as Ti-6Al-4V, and the ceramic material may comprise Silicon Carbide, Boron Carbide, Tungsten Carbide, Titanium Diboride, Aluminum Oxide or Aluminum Nitride.

Abstract: A ceramic armor is disclosed in several embodiments. In a first embodiment, a metal base plate has a metal frame assembled on it having a central opening into which the ceramic material and stiffening plate are placed. A cover plate is placed over the frame to enclose the ceramic material on all sides. In a second embodiment, the frame has an open central area that has two crossing walls that define four sub-chambers. Four sets of ceramic material and stiffening plate are placed in the respective sub-chambers and a covering plate is placed over them. In a further embodiment, the frame has a plurality of cavities mechanically formed in it. A stiffening plate and a ceramic tile or plate are placed in each cavity and a cover plate is placed over the frame. The metal used to encapsulate the ceramic material may, if desired, comprise a Titanium alloy such as Ti-6Al-4V, and the ceramic material may comprise Silicon Carbide, Boron Carbide, Tungsten Carbide, Titanium Diboride, Aluminum Oxide or Aluminum Nitride.

Abstract: A ceramic armor is disclosed in several embodiments. In a first embodiment, a metal base plate has a metal frame assembled on it having a central opening into which the ceramic material is placed. A cover plate is placed over the frame to enclose the ceramic material on all sides. In a second embodiment, the frame has an open central area that has two crossing walls that define four sub-chambers. Four pieces of ceramic material are placed in the respective sub-chambers and a covering plate is placed over it. In a further embodiment, the frame has a plurality of cavities mechanically formed in it. A ceramic tile or plate is placed in each cavity and a cover plate is placed over the frame. The metal used to encapsulate the ceramic material may, if desired, comprise a Titanium alloy such as Ti-6Al-4V, and the ceramic material may comprise Silicon Carbide, Boron Carbide, Tungsten Carbide, Titanium Diboride or Aluminum Nitride.

Abstract: A component of a plasma reactor chamber for processing a semiconductor workpiece, the component being a monolithic ceramic piece formed from a mixture of yttrium aluminum perovskite (YAP) and yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG) formed from a mixture of yttria and alumina powders, the ratio the powders in said mixture being within a range between one ratio at which at least nearly pure yttrium aluminum perovskite is formed and another ratio at which at least nearly pure yttrium aluminum garnet is formed.

Abstract: A component of a plasma reactor chamber for processing a semiconductor workpiece, the component being a monolithic ceramic piece formed from a mixture of yttrium aluminum perovskite (YAP) and yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG) formed from a mixture of yttria and alumina powders, the ratio the powders in said mixture being within a range between one ratio at which at least nearly pure yttrium aluminum perovskite is formed and another ratio at which at least nearly pure yttrium aluminum garnet is formed.