Abstract: Affixable armor that can be used to provide additional protection for a surface is described. The affixable armor includes polygonal ceramic tiles that can be attached directly to a surface, or first attached to a carrier sheet which is then attached to a surface. A visco-elastic polymer can be used to help absorb projectile impact. The ceramic tiles include a substantially conical or pyramidal deflecting front surface to provide additional protection. The ceramic tiles can be placed so that they are spaced to provide a gap with a width that is less than the diameter of an expected ballistic threat in order to provide additional projection. The affixable armor can be configured for rapid removal and replacement, or it may be permanently affixed to the surface.

Abstract: An exhaust manifold (10, 110) is provided having a ceramic inner layer (22, 32) defining an exhaust gas passageway (20), and a composite insulation zone (24, 26) that is highly thermally insulating. In one embodiment, the composite insulation zone (24) includes a plurality of metallic foils (31, 32) in alternating arrangement with layers having insulating qualities. In the composite insulation zone, the layers having insulating qualities can include ceramic layers (26), evacuated spaces, microsphere layers (37) including substantially evacuated microspheres, or a combination of these. A novel sealing arrangement also is provided for sealing the ceramic inner and metallic outer layers of a metal-encased-ceramic exhaust manifold at a location adjacent the inlet port (14, 15, 16) of a runner of the manifold. A sealing gasket (140) is substantially completely encased within or shielded by the metallic outer layer, so as not to contact the cylinder head (115) when assembled to an internal combustion engine.