Formulation Of Powdered Alumina For Body Armour Application

ABSTRACT

Body amour describes the object that is worn or carried to provide an individual protection against external energy. This research work was carried out to formulate powdered alumina for body amour application. Alumina powder (Al203), magnesium oxide (MgO), calcium oxide (CaO) and polyvinyl alcohol (PY A) were the materials used in the formulation procedure for the research work, the materials were mixed thoroughly to form six different formulation samples; binder and alumina powder in each samples were varied. The material were formed in the mould (100mm x 50mm x 30mm and 50mm x 50mm x 30mm) by uniaxial pressing force of 300KN for physical and mechanical tests (percentage shrinkage, density, water absorption, compressive strength, hardness and modulus of elasticity). The six green samples were sintered in an electric furnace at l 500°C for one hour. It was observed that sample B (I% PY A) and sample E ( 4% PY A) showed the best physical properties among the six samples. For the mechanical test, sample A showed highest hardness value (11.2 GPa) but low values in modulus of elasticity (243 GPa) and compressive strength (2208 MPa) while sample B showed highest value in modulus of elasticity (284 GPa) and compressive strength (2454 MPa), but sample C and D showed low value in it. The microstructure of the sample B (with best mechanical properties) was observed to have shown a uniform solid distribution. Sample B was therefore found to be the best for potential body armour application with regards to its interest physical, mechanical and microstructural properties.