Titanium Armor with Gradient Structure: Advanced Technology for Fabrication

Abstract

Developing advanced cost-effective manufacturing technology and production of high-strength titanium-based armor materials is extremely important for the protection of military vehicles and personnel. Titanium alloys are high-strength and lightweight structural materials that can be thermally hardened to the level similar to steels but at much higher compared to steels weight efficiency. Armor plates fabricated using a novel approach, Blended Elemental Powder Metallurgy (BEPM), demonstrate superior antiballistic performance compared to the currently used titanium-based armor materials and can be fabricated at lower cost.