Studies on the Effect of Accelerated Ageing on Structural, Physico-Mechanical and Ballistic Properties of Hybrid Silicone-Ceramics Composites

Abstract The aim of this paper was to study and analyze methods of evaluating the service ability and lifespan of ballistic armors made of a hybrid silicone-ceramic (HSC) composites. Experimental tests with accelerated ageing were conducted on the composite ballistic armors in a laboratory to predict and analyze their durability: changes in ballistic performance, as well as physical, and structural properties occurring due to simulated usage conditions. It was proved that despite the changes which took place at the molecular level in the HSC composite materials, accelerated aging processes do not affect the fragmentation resistance level of ballistic HSC inserts.