Year
2002
Abstract
The design, development, and current status of advanced metallic armoring materials are described in the paper. Material development has been driven by the need for innovative materials in the defense industry. New materials offer equivalent or superior ballistic protection when compared with traditional armoring materials. In addition, new materials are providing additional benefits like weight reduction, structural stability, and corrosion resistance. Refinements in manufacturing techniques and cost reduction strategies have also made some advanced materials (e.g., titanium alloys) a more viable design option. Advances and applications in the defense industry may provide insights into how these materials could be utilized to mitigate threats associated with the storage, transport, and disposal of nuclear materials.