Elastomeric Armor

This technology was the Navy winner in the OSD Office of Technology Transition & DoD TechMatch Hot Technologies Contest. Synopsis Protection against blast and ballistic damage is improved by encapsulating or sandwiching rigid inclusions (for example, tiles) or a rigid plate by a high-strain rate hardening elastomer. Typical high-strain rate hardening elastomers include polyurea and polyurethane. If desired, the inclusion or plate may be wrapped in a cloth and/or fabric before encapsulation/sandwiching. The armor may be used independently of a substrate or may be attached by any means to a substrate that it is intended to protect. Market Potential It is an object of the present invention to provide an armor material with resistance to both blast and ballistic energy. It is another object of the present invention to provide an armor material with strong resistance to shock waves. It is a further object of the present invention to provide an armor material in which a volume of rigid armor is confined along three dimensions when exposed to ballistic or blast energy. These and other objects are achieved by encapsulating or sandwiching a rigid inclusion or plate in a strain rate hardening elastomer. Benefits Lightweight Easy application