The effect of the adhesive layer, used to bond ceramic tiles to a metallic
plate, on the ballistic behaviour of ceramic/metal mixed armours is analyse
d mathematically and experimentally. Two types of adhesives, polyurethane (
soft adhesive) and rubber-modified epoxy resin (rigid adhesive), and differ
ent thicknesses, are considered in the study. Numerical simulations were ma
de of low calibre projectiles impacting on alumina tiles backed by an alumi
nium plate, using a commercial finite difference code. Full-scale tests wer
e carried out to check the influence of the adhesive. An engineering model
was also developed to provide a preliminary design tool taking account of t
he influence of the adhesive. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights res
erved.