Mechanical properties and ballistic behavior of LiF-added Al2O3–4 wt%Nb2O5 ceramics

Abstract For the first time, the behavior of LiF-added alumina-niobia ceramics was quasi-static and dynamically analyzed in ballistic tests. Different compositions were investigated for the compound Al 2 O 3 –4 wt%Nb 2 O 5 – n LiF, with n ranging from 0 to 1.50 wt%, processed at three different sintering temperatures (1300, 1350 and 1400 °C). Elastic properties, elastic wave velocities, Vickers microhardness and ballistic tests were performed according to standards. The results showed that the LiF addition benefits the Al 2 O 3 –4 wt%Nb 2 O 5 ceramic properties, allowing to reduce by approximately 100 °C the sintering temperature without impairing the ballistic performance. The Al 2 O 3 –4 wt%Nb 2 O 5 –0.5 wt%LiF ceramics exhibit comparable properties to the commonly used Al 2 O 3 –4 wt%Nb 2 O 5 ceramics.