Low Cost Fabrication Technique to Produce Dense Boron Carbide Ballistic Tiles

Boron carbide is the preferred ceramic material for armo applications; however, the production costs are very high which can be partially attributed to the high cost consodlidation techniques currently used. A novel fabrication technique is proposed that has very los associated costs and has the potential to produce fully dense B4C. In addition, the process allows for net shape forming so that complex shapes can easily be produced. The method has been termed CVR for chemical vapor reaction with B-containing gaseous species. This process has already been successfully utilized to convert graphite fibers to B4C, so that the probability of successfull converting bulk graphite pieces is high. The proposed approach involves first optimizing CVR parameters to produce high density, high purity B4C monoliths. Optimized materials will be completely characterized, including measurements of mechanical properties, elastic modulus, and hardness. Tiles will be produced for evaluation by the Army. The project will culminate with an economic analysis that will project the cost of producing B4C tiles by the CVR process. This will determine the feasibility of the technique to produce los cost, high density B4C materials.