Abstract
Intermetallic aluminide compounds possess several potential advantages compared to alloyed steels,like enhanced oxidation resistance,lower density and the omittance of critical raw materials.Iron alumi-nides,compared to other transition metal-aluminides of TM3-Al type,although having a higher density compared to titan-aluminides,have a lower density compared to nickel-aluminides,but also a higher ductility than both alternatives,making this material potentially effective in ballistic protection appli-cation.Density-wise,this material may be a worthy alternative to armour steels,which was the aim of this study.Two materials,Fe3Al intermetallic compound(F3A-C)and Armox 500 armour steel were ballistically tested against tungsten-carbide(WC)armour-piercing ammunition,in accordance with STANAG 4569.After ballistic testing,microhardness and metallographic testing were performed,revealing differences in strain hardening,crack propagation mode and exit hole morphology.F3A-C ballistic resistance is similar to that of armour steel,in spite of the lower tensile and impact mechani-cal properties,relying on a considerably higher strain hardening rate,thermal properties and a lower density.
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