Abstract: In a multi-layer armor system (10), useful for military vehicles, a metallic foam is provided as the shock energy-absorbing element. In a typical arrangement, the metallic foam shock-absorbing element (12) is sandwiched between a high strength strike plate (11) and a backing plate (13). Typically, the backing plate is a highly deforming metal, such as titanium, aluminum, or steel. However, the backing plate may comprise one or more layers of metal, ceramic or polymer-based composites. The high strength strike plate may be ceramic or metal. The shock-absorbing element is preferably a closed-cell metal foam with a high porosity that is effective in containing rearward deformation of the strike plate from a projectile strike. In a preferred embodiment, the shock-absorbing element is an aluminum foam with a porosity of 80 percent by volume.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to a novel directed metal oxidation process which is utilized to produce self-supporting bodies. In some of the more specific aspects of the invention, a parent metal (e.g., a parent metal vapor) is induced to react with at least one solid oxidant-containing material to result in the directed growth of a reaction product which is formed from a reaction between the parent metal and the solid oxidant-containing material. The inventive process can be utilized to form bodies having substantially homogeneous compositions, graded compositions, and macrocomposite bodies.In a preferred embodiment, the reaction product may be chemically modified or a different reaction product may be coated thereon. Specifically, once a first reaction product is formed on a solid oxidant-containing material, the formed body may be exposed to a vapor-phase parent metal different from the first parent metal.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to a novel directed metal oxidation process which is utilized to produce self-supporting bodies. In some of the more specific aspects of the invention, a parent metal (e.g., a parent metal vapor) is induced to react with at least one solid oxidant-containing material to result in the directed growth of a reaction product which is formed from a reaction between the parent metal and the solid oxidant-containing material. The inventive process can be utilized to form bodies having substantially homogeneous compositions, graded compositions, and macrocomposite bodies.In a preferred embodiment, a substance comprising a filler material and a solid oxidant, preferably an admixture of particulates, is coated onto at least a portion of the solid oxidant-containing material. Such a technique is particularly advantageous for forming relatively thick reaction product layers which might not otherwise develop to the desired thickness using the original "directed growth" embodiment.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to a novel directed metal oxidation process which is utilized to produce self-supporting bodies. In some of the more specific aspects of the invention, a parent metal (e.g., a parent metal vapor) is induced to react with at least one solid oxidant-containing material to result in the directed growth of a reaction product which is formed from a reaction between the parent metal and the solid oxidant-containing material. The inventive process can be utilized to form bodies having substantially homogeneous compositions, graded compositions, and macrocomposite bodies. In a preferred embodiment, the reaction product may be chemically modified or a different reaction product may be coated thereon. Specifically, once a first reaction product is formed on a solid oxidant-containing material, the formed body may be exposed to a vapor-phase parent metal different from the first parent metal.

Abstract: A method of making self-supporting ceramic composite structures having filler embedded therein includes infiltrating a permeable mass of filler with polycrystalline material comprising an oxidation reaction product obtained by oxidation of a parent metal such as aluminum. The self-supporting ceramic composite structure optionally contains therein non-oxidized constituents of the parent metal. The structure is formed by placing a parent metal adjacent to a permeable filler and heating the assembly to melt the parent metal and provide a molten body of parent metal which is contacted with a suitable oxidant. Within a certain temperature region and optionally, aided by one or more dopants in or on the parent metal, molten parent metal will migrate through previously formed oxidation reaction product into contact with the oxidant, causing the oxidation reaction product to grow so as to embed the adjacent filler and provide the composite structure.