Development of a New Type of Composite Material: A Glass Based Laminate Cermet

Abstract

This thesis is concerned with developing a revolutionary composite - a majority glass based laminated cermet or GMET (Glass-Metal Laminate.) A GMET exhibits extraordinary qualities: strength to density ratio's up to 80% greater than 6061 aluminum alloy, and uniquely, bulk toughness/fracture toughness similar to that alloy, and astonishingly, tensile failure morphologies that are identical to 6061 aluminum alloy.

Using glass in the laminate creates another crucial advantage: this class of composites can be manufactured using hot rolling - a processing technique that could lend itself to rapid production of high layer density, large area composites in a cost effective manner.

It will be demonstrated that GMETs offer excellent protection capabilities versus kinetic, and superior capabilities against shaped charged weapons at weights lower than that achieved using current metal or ceramic armors. This class of composites will be shown to withstand multi-ballistic impacts over the same contiguous area.