Potential Applications of Titanium Alloys

in Armor Systems
William A. Gooch Jr.
WA Gooch Consulting Inc.
10460 Roosevelt Blvd N, Suite 263
St. Petersburg, FL, 33716, USA

ABSTRACT
0B recent years, the cost of titanium has fallen with new
processing technology and the relative higher costs of
Titanium alloys have been investigated for their composite and ceramic armors has made titanium a valid
application as an armor technology since the 1950’s and option for some applications, whether for weight
published technical papers in many forums describe the reduction or improved ballistic performance.
possible replacement of steel wrought plate with
wrought titanium plate. The perceived high cost of As early as 1950, Pitler and Hurlich [1] noted that
titanium, however, has historically prevented greater titanium alloys showed promise as armors against small
application to military ground vehicles. The integration arms projectiles. By the early 1960's, Sliney [2]
of titanium alloys into an armor system may offer presented ballistic performance data for Ti-6Al-4V alloy
greater ballistic advantages when the total performance that demonstrated significant weight reductions over
is evaluated and this paper will examine potential steel armors for small arms threats. Little work with
applications of titanium in these systems. In recent larger threats was conducted due to the then prohibitive
years, the cost of titanium has fallen with new cost of the titanium. Since the early 1990’s, published
processing technology and the relative higher costs of research efforts defined baseline titanium ballistic
composite and ceramic armors has made titanium a valid performance data against a range of penetrators and
option for some applications, whether for weight fragments. The publication of revised military
reduction or improved ballistic performance. The specifications with new classes of titanium alloys,
distinct advantages of low density, high strength, a large processed through lower-cost plasma and electron-beam
competitive industrial base, and well established forming melting technology, has expanded further use of
and shaping techniques establishes titanium as an titanium for military applications
excellent material for many military applications.
Significant research efforts in understanding the material BACKGROUND
processing requirements for ground versus aerospace
applications are documented and this paper will provide Titanium can exist in a hexagonal close-packed crystal
an overview of that research. A major concurrent effort structure (known as the alpha phase) and a body-
has been amending existing military specifications to centered cubic structure (known as the beta phase). In
allow the use of lower cost, higher oxygen content unalloyed titanium, the alpha phase is stable at all
titanium alloys that meet specific ground applications. temperatures up to 882o C, where transformation to the
This paper will review some documented armor beta phase occurs. This transformation temperature is
applications of titanium, with emphasis on potential new known as the beta transus temperature. The beta phase is
titanium technologies and augments previous stable from 882o C to the melting point. As alloying
presentations given in this forum from 2007 to 2010. elements are added to pure titanium, the phase
transformation temperature and the amount of each
INTRODUCTION
1B phase change. Alloy additions to titanium, except tin and
zirconium, tend to stabilize either the alpha or beta
Titanium alloys have long been used for reducing phase. Ti-6Al-4V, the most common titanium alloy,
system weight in airframe structure and jet engine contains mixtures of alpha and beta phases and is
components. The perceived high cost of titanium, therefore classified as an alpha-beta alloy. The
however, has historically prevented greater application aluminum is an alpha stabilizer, which stabilizes the
to military ground vehicles. The integration of titanium alpha phase to higher temperatures, and the vanadium is
alloys into an armor system may offer greater ballistic a beta stabilizer, which stabilizes the beta phase to lower
advantages when the total performance is evaluated. In temperatures. The addition of these alloying elements
raises the beta transus temperature to approximately MILITARY SPECIFICATION MIL-DTL-46077G
996o C. Alpha-beta alloys, such as Ti-6Al-4V, are of
interest for armor applications because the alloys are An important factor in using titanium alloys for military
generally weldable, can be heat treated, and offer applications is Military Specification MIL-DTL-46077G
moderate to high strength [3]. Ti-6Al-4V alloy can be that defines different classes of titanium that can be used
ordered to a variety of commercial and military as armor [4]. While commercial specifications such as
specifications. Extra Low Interstitial (ELI) grade plates, SAE-AMS-T-9046, SAE-AMS4911 or ASTM-B265
simultaneously conforming to MIL-T-9046J, AB-2 maintain quality control through mechanical properties,
(aerospace) and MIL-A-46077G (armor) specifications chemistry and processing, MIL-DTL-46077G
are used in many applications. The specifications define emphasizes ballistic response to maintain quality
alloy chemistry ranges, minimum mechanical properties, control; no processing is specified. This specification
and, in the case of MIL-A-46077G, ballistic covers the thickness ranges of 0.125”- 4.000” and was
requirements. Typical chemical compositions of last revised on 28 September 2006. The main change
titanium plate are listed in Table 1 for a Class 1 ELI from the previous specification was the expansion of the
alloy; mechanical property data for a typical MIL-T- thickness range in thin sections down to 0.125”; the
9046J, AB-2 (aerospace) plate are found in Table 2. The ballistic acceptance tables for this range have not been
hardness values are representative of the plates tested; finalized as an acceptable ballistic test has proven
hardness is not specified in MIL-T-9046J. difficult due to the thin cross-sections and necessity to
discern quality variations due to processing.
U.S. rolled homogeneous armor (RHA) steel is used as
the baseline for most ballistic comparisons. RHA The emphasis in recent amendments to the specification
mechanical properties are also provided in Table 2 for has been to incorporate new classes of titanium armor
plate thicknesses ranging from 38-mm to 152-mm; the that utilize lower-cost titanium processing and alternate
mechanical properties of RHA vary as a function of alloys. Table 3 provides the current four classes of
plate thickness due to differences in thermomechanical titanium that can be specified under the MIL-DTL-
processing. A 38-mm RHA plate has higher strength and 46077G. While all four classes have the same strength
hardness than a 152-mm plate. Ti-6-4 Titanium has poor and ballistic requirements, the objective has been to
hardenability in thick sections and cannot be rapidly increase the oxygen content to a maximum of 0.30%
quenched. However, excellent mechanical properties can allowing the use of lower-cost processing technologies
be developed into wrought plate through such as Electron Beam or Plasma Melting for both Class
thermomechanical working (rolling). Titanium 3 and 4. Armor grade titanium has a greater tolerance to
mechanical properties are very uniform across the plate oxygen content than other applications in the aerospace
thickness that increases the relative ballistic performance industry. Class 4 titanium, unlike Class 1-3, allows
when compared to an equivalent thickness of RHA. In alternate armor alloys to be utilized and has opened up
thick sections, titanium has significantly better new alloy designations that utilize different alloying
mechanical properties for ballistic application than elements; this can have additional impact on overall
RHA. alloy cost by utilizing lower cost alloying elements.

Table 1. Typical Chemical Compositions for Class 1 Titanium Plates by Weight-Percent

Al V C O N H Fe Ti
5.50- 3.50- 0.04 0.14 0.02 0.0125 0.25 Balance
6.50 4.50 Max Max Max Max Max

Table 2. Typical Titanium and RHA Mechanical Properties

MATERIAL SOURCE DENSITY TENSILE HARDNESS ELONGATION
g/cm3 STRENGTH %
Ti-6Al-4V MIL-T-9046J 4.45 >896 MPa 302-364HB >10
RHA MIL-A-12560 7.85 794-951 MPa 241-331HB 11-21
 Table 3. MIL-DTL-46077G Titanium Armor Specification
Chemistry Max. O2 Content Comments
ELI-
Class 1 6AL-4V 0.14%
10% Elongation Min.
Common Armor
Class 2 6AL-4V 0.20%
6% Elongation Min.
High Scrap Content
Class 3 6AL-4V 0.30%
Weld & cold temp issues
Class 4 Not Limited 0.30% For future developments

BALLISTIC RESPONSE OF TITANIUM TO considered. Even when the impact velocities approach the
FRAGMENTS AND PROJECTILES hydrodynamic limit where material strengths can be ignored,
the penetration density law results in a theoretical
Extensive analysis of the ballistic response of titanium to both performance of 1.3 times that of steel.
projectiles and fragment simulators can be found in the
references [5-12]. As seen in Table 2, titanium has similar Microstructure and processing technology can still have a
strength, hardness and elongation to ballistic steel, but the significant effect on the performance at ordnance velocities.
density is 43% less. This strength to density ratio is the Figures 2 and 3 show two Ti-6Al-4V ELI plates that were
primary factor in the greater performance of titanium over beta- and alpha-beta-processed and then impacted by a 20mm
ballistic steel. Figure 1 illustrates the penetration of a Ti-6Al- fragment simulating projectile. The large difference noted in
V alpha-beta titanium and RHA steel by a long rod penetrator the ballistic performance between the plates tends to indicate
at velocities from 500 m/s up to 2600 m/s. The penetration that the failure mechanisms were in some way different.
into both metals is approximately equal up to about 1700 m/s Observation of the rear plate surface failures for perforating
and has a mass efficiency compared to steel of 1.87 at 1000 and near-perforating impacts showed this to be the case. The
m/s dropping off to 1.44 at 2000 m/s when the densities are beta processed plates failed by adiabatic shear plugging. This

300

2
250 Ti: P=348.8*exp(-(1.486/V) )
131W-Ti
2
RHA: P=292.6*exp(-(1.404/V) )
131W-RHA
200
PENETRATION (mm)

150

100

50

0
0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0

IMPACT VELOCITY (km/s)

Figure 1. Penetration of a Tungsten Long Rod Penetrator into RHA and Titanium
low-energy failure mode caused a titanium plug to be ejected to the penetration channel. The shear banding happens all
from the rear surface of plate after the FSP penetrated along the circular penetration channel and the titanium
approximately 6-mm into the plate and has been described in fragments mix with the tungsten rod fragments. In a complete
previous work [12-14]. The plates that were alpha-beta perforation of the plate, the adiabatic titanium chips and
processed failed by a mixed process of bulging, delamination, penetrator debris are ejected and the penetration cavity wall
shearing, and spalling. However, this failure occurred only appears very smooth. When an eroded penetrator comes
after the FSP had penetrated approximately 15-mm into the within approximately one penetrator diameter of the rear free
plate, requiring the FSP to penetrate significantly deeper into surface, the plate will eject a spall plug that has a larger
the armor than for the beta-processed plates. Rolling or diameter than the penetrator. This spall plug is generally not
annealing at temperatures above the beta transus significantly penetrated during the interaction and decreases performance.
reduced the performance. Figure 5 shows a large spall plug induced in a four inch plate
that resulted in an approximate 20% loss in penetrator/target
Adiabatic shear plugging is inherent in titanium as a result of interaction. For this reason, titanium is not recommended for
shear-induced strain localizations and the low heat transfer standalone use and low density backings, such as aluminum
properties of titanium. Figure 4 shows the deep penetration of or composites, increase performance as the spall plug is held
a long rod tungsten penetrator into a titanium plate. The in place and contribute to erosion of the penetrator.
adiabatic shear bands in the sectioned plate are visible parallel

Figure 4. Deep Penetration of a Tungsten Long Rod Penetrator

into Titanium showing Adiabatic Shear Bands
 SPALL RING
BREAKOUT

PENETRATOR
CHANNEL
PENETRATOR
IMPACT SHEAR BANDS AND
DELAMINATION

Figure 5. Spall Plug Breakout of a 100mm (4.0”) Titanium Plate after Perforation
by a Long Rod Penetrator

EFFECT OF MECHANICAL PROPERTIES ON summarized in Figure 6 where the effect of heat treating
BALLISTIC PERFORMANCE or working the plates over the beta transus temperature
is obvious. The initial vacuum creep-flatten process
The quasi-static mechanical properties of titanium are produced ballistic plate with a performance similar to
very important for most engineering applications and plates subjected to additional annealing below the beta
were included in the property requirements in MIL- transus. Plates annealed above the beta transus have a
DTL-46077G for Class 1 and 2 titanium. However, for microstructure change to a Widmanstätten alpha-beta
armor applications, the impact of varying the mechanical structure as seen in Figure 7. The effect on ballistic
properties is not apparent and processing history is more performance compared to transverse yield strength,
important. The most complete analysis of these effects transverse elongation and Charpy impact data are shown
were conducted by Burkins, Love and Wood where a set in Figures 8-10. The annealing step could be omitted to
of Ti-6Al-4V ELI plates were subjected to a series of reduce cost or the anneal temperature could be increased
annealing temperatures and the effects on the to 900oC to obtain the highest performance.
mechanical properties were determined [13]. The results
on the samples from the original single 28.5mm plate are
1200

1100
V50 LIMIT VELOCITY (m/s)

1000

900
Beta Transus

VCF Only, No Anneal

30 Min Anneal, AC
30 Min Anneal, WQ
800
30 Min Anneal, FC
120 Min Anneal, AC
Duplex (1038+788)

700
700 800 900 1000 1100

ANNEALINGTEMPERATURE (C)
Figure 6. Effect of Annealing Temperature on Ballistic Performance
 1200
200x

1100
V50 LIMIT VELOCITY (m/s)

1000 Partially
recrystallized a +
intergranular ß

900 200x

Beta Transus
VCFOnly, NoAnneal
30Min Anneal, AC
30Min Anneal, WQ
30Min Anneal, FC
800
120Min Anneal, AC
Duplex (1038+788)

700
700 800 900 1000 1100 Coarse prior ß
transformed to
ANNEALINGTEMPERATURE (C) Widmanstatten a-ß

Figure 7. Change in Microstructure for Annealing over the Beta Transus Temperature
1200

831 MPa
1100
V50 LIMIT VELOCITY (m/s)

704 MPa
1000

826 MPa
900
Beta Transus

VCF Only, No Anneal

30 Min Anneal, AC
30 Min Anneal, WQ
800
30 Min Anneal, FC
120 Min Anneal, AC
Duplex (1038+788)

700
700 800 900 1000 1100

ANNEALINGTEMPERATURE (C)
Figure 8. Change in Transverse Yield Strength with Annealing Temperature

EFFECT OF THERMOMECHANICAL AB-2 plates from RMI Titanium Company, rolled these
PROCESSING ON BALLISTIC PERFORMANCE plates to final thickness, performed the annealing, and
collected mechanical and microstructural information.
In an effort to provide further data on processing of ARL then tested the plates with 20-mm fragment-
titanium armor plate, the US Army Research Laboratory simulating projectiles (FSPs) and 12.7-mm armor-
(ARL) and the U.S. Department of Energy Albany piercing (AP) M2 bullets in order to determine the
Research Center (ALRC) performed a joint research ballistic limit velocity of each plate. The ballistic limit
program to evaluate the effect of thermomechanical velocities were then compared to assess the effect of
processing on the ballistic limit velocity of an ELI grade changes in rolling and heat treatment.
of Ti-6Al-4V [14-15]. ALRC obtained MIL-T-9046J,
 1200

1100
V50 LIMIT VELOCITY (m/s)

1000
Below 12%

900

Beta Transus
VCF Only, No Anneal
30 Min Anneal, AC
30 Min Anneal, WQ
800
30 Min Anneal, FC
120 Min Anneal, AC
Duplex (1038+788)

700
700 800 900 1000 1100

ANNEALINGTEMPERATURE (C)
Figure 9. Effect of Transverse Elongation with Annealing Temperature
1200

L- 27J
1100 T- 29J
V50 LIMIT VELOCITY (m/s)

L- 22J
1000
T- 20J
L- 46J
900
T- 45J
Beta Transus

VCF Only, No Anneal

30 Min Anneal, AC
30 Min Anneal, WQ
800
30 Min Anneal, FC
120 Min Anneal, AC
Duplex (1038+788)

700
700 800 900 1000 1100

ANNEALINGTEMPERATURE (C)
Figure 10. Effect on Charpy Impact Results with Annealing Temperature
The starting material was commercially produced 127- beta), and step forged to 108-mm first and then 89-mm.
mm-thick Ti-6Al-4V ELI alloy plate product. Each plate The step forging was done without reheating. Upon
was coated with a silica-based material to reduce oxygen completion, the plates were returned to the furnace and
contamination, placed into the furnace, and soaked for reheated for 20 minutes. The plates were then, either
two hours at either 1,066o C (beta) or 954o C (alpha- unidirectionally (straight) rolled or cross-rolled at the
same temperature used in the forging operation (1,066o in the alpha-beta region had a typical structure of
C or 954o C). The rolling schedule consisted of two equiaxed alpha grains and intergranular beta.
passes at 12% reduction in thickness, two passes at 15%
reduction in thickness, three passes at 20% reduction in V50 limit velocities were obtained for all eleven plate
thickness, and one final pass at the final mill setting of conditions, tested with both the 20-mm FSP and 12.7-
25.4 mm. Each plate was reheated for 20 minutes after mm APM2 projectiles. Figure 11 shows graphically the
every second pass through the mill. Following the final V50 difference for the eleven plate conditions. The
pass, the plates were placed on a rack and air cooled to required V50 values were derived from the acceptance
room temperature. tables in MIL-A-46077D. Regardless of the penetrator
used, only three plates (S1, C1, and C4) passed the
Four different annealing heat treatments were used at the ballistic requirements of MIL-A-46077D, even though
completion of rolling and air cooling: (1) a beta anneal these three plates also failed to meet the elongation
at 1,038o C for 30 minutes with an air cool (AC); (2) a requirements of MIL-A-46077D. Beta-processed plates,
beta plus alpha-beta anneal at 1,038o C for 30 minutes either rolled or annealed at temperatures above the beta
with an AC, followed by 788o C for 30 minutes with an transus, had lower V50 ballistic limit velocities for both
AC; (3) an alpha-beta anneal at 788o C for 30 minutes the 20-mm FSP and the 12.7-mm APM2. The magnitude
with an AC; and (4) a solution treat and age (STA) at of the effect was much greater for the 20-mm FSP (~200
927o C for 30 minutes with a water quench (WQ), m/s) than for the APM2 (~40 m/s), confirming a trend
followed by 538o C for 6 hours with an AC. As an that had been indicated in prior data [12]. The plates that
experimental control, the final heat treatment was received no additional anneal treatment (C4 and S5)
omitted for some of the plates. Following heat treatment, gave a ballistic performance comparable to similarly
all the plates were sand-blasted to remove any remaining processed plates that received an alpha-beta anneal
protective coating. All plates forged, rolled, or annealed treatment (C1 and S2). For the APM2 tests, cross rolling
in the beta region had a typical structure of plate-like provided no significant difference in V50 as compared to
alpha and intergranular beta with alpha at the prior beta straight rolling (S1 vs. C1 and C5 vs. S2). For the 20-
grain boundaries. All plates forged, rolled, and annealed mm FSP tests, cross rolling seemed to provide a slightly

No beta processing

Beta processed

S= straight rolled C= cross rolled

Figure 11. Beta processed Ti-6Al-4V Plate Compared to Alpha-Beta Processed Plate
higher V50 than straight rolling in the alpha-beta region processing. The ballistic evaluation of cast titanium
(S1 vs. C1); however, straight rolling seemed to be utilized ASTM 367-87 Grade 5 alloy and was compared
slightly better than cross rolling in the beta region (C5 to wrought Ti-6Al-4V plate as defined in Tables 4 and 5.
vs. S2). The beta-processed plates failed by a process of The mechanical properties for the cast material are lower
adiabatic shear plugging. The alpha-beta-processed than the wrought plate, except for the hardness and the
plates failed by a mixed process of bulging, compositions are similar. The cast titanium was also
delamination, shearing, and spalling, which required subjected to post processing procedures to include hot
more energy because the FSP had to burrow much isostatic pressing to reduce porosity and pickling to
deeper into the armor plate before rear surface failure reduce the case hardened layer and surface
occurred. The failure mode for beta and alpha-beta imperfections. The samples were impacted with armor-
processed plates appeared to be the same for the 12.7- piercing and FSP projectiles and the results for the
mm APM2. This observation is consistent with the 20mm FSP are shown in Figure 12.
relatively small differences in V50 performance between
the beta- and alpha-beta-processed plates. The baseline wrought data are plotted in Figure 12 as a
dashed red line and the cast titanium is plotted as a solid
TITANIUM WROUGHT PLATE VS CASTINGS black line. These data show the cast titanium
performance to be, at best, 75% of wrought titanium and
The advantages of utilizing net shape cast titanium results from the reduced strengths as compared to the
components for armor applications and other ballistic rolled wrought plate. The effects of post processing
uses led to an examination of the ballistic performance procedures are minimal with some possible
of cast titanium as compared to wrought plate [16]. The improvement in the ballistic performance due to
main issue is cost reduction by eliminating unnecessary pickling; but the data are scattered. Conjecture would be

1000

950

900
V50 LIMIT VELOCITY (m/s)

850

800

750

700

650
MIL-DTL-46077F (Wrought Ti-6Al-4V)
600 Cast Ti-6Al-4V (1997-HIP)
No HIP - No Pickle
No HIP - Light Pickle
550 No HIP - Heavy Pickle
HIP - No Pickle
500 HIP - Light Pickle
HIP - Heavy Pickle

450
17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33

THICKNESS (mm)
Figure 12. Ballistic Performance of 20mm FSP vs Wrought and Cast Titanium
 Table 4. Comparison of Wrought and Cast Titanium Compositions
Heat Part Nominal Al V Fe O C N H
# ID # Thickness
(mm) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%)
970181 25.4
970139 6.27 3.8 0.15 0.21 0.02 0.01 0.002
970179 12.7
970179 12.7
970140 970180 19.1 6.27 3.8 0.17 0.23 0.02 0.01 0.004
970183 38.1
970182 31.8
970138 6.28 3.8 0.16 0.21 0.02 0.01 0.002
970183 38.1
ASTM 367-87 5.5- 3.5- 0.40 0.25 0.10 0.05 0.015
Grade C5 6.75 4.5 max max max max max

Table 5. Mechanical Properties of Cast and Wrought Titanium

Nominal Tensile Properties Hardness

Heat Part
Thickness 0.2%YS UTS Elong
# ID #
(mm) (MPa) (MPa) (%) (BHN)

970181 25.4
970139 885 989 10.0 318
970179 12.7
970179 12.7
970140 970180 19.1 900 1024 11.0 315
970183 38.1
970182 31.8
970138 879 981 10.0 299
970183 38.1
ASTM 367-87 Grade C5 825 min. 895 min. 6 min. 365 max.

that any post process that homogenizes the surface, over wrought plate. In complex shapes, casting may be
particularly the back of the casting could decrease crack advantageous when compared to steel castings that
initiation points when in tension. The use of cast suffer the same issues.
components will require 20-25% thicker cross-sections
SHAPED CHARGE PROTECTION OF TITANIUM

Figure 16. SC Penetration of Titanium

Figure 14. Shaped Charge Warhead
charge warhead into a stack of RHA steel and Ti-6Al-4V
The primary discussion to date has been related to the titanium [20-22]. The titanium had a mass efficiency 1.6
penetration of titanium by kinetic energy projectiles or times that of the RHA, but had a space efficiency of 0.9,
fragments, but titanium also has excellent performance i.e., requires about 10% more thickness to equal the
against shaped charge (SC) warheads [17]. Figure 1 penetration into RHA. To put this in terms of pounds/ft2,
showed the performance of a L/D 13 long rod tungsten 1028 lbs of steel is needed to stop the penetration of the
penetrator as a function of velocity, with the highest warhead versus 635 lbs of titanium (697mm of
impact velocity about 2.6 km/s. A typical SC is shown in titanium). Overall, titanium offers excellent kinetic
Figure 14 and Figure 15 shows the sequence of flash x- energy and shaped charge penetration resistance.
rays illustrating the functioning of the warhead [18-19].
The conical copper liner is embedded in a cylinder of TITANIUM FORGINGS
explosive which is detonated at the base of the explosive
and the resultant detonation wave collapses the liner on Figure 17 shows an application of the forging of
the axis of the charge. This collapse causes a high titanium for military application for ground vehicles
velocity jet to be ejected forward. Depending on the [23]. The forging has increased strength similar to
design, the tip of the jet is traveling about 10 km/s with
wrought rolled plate due to the mechanical working of
the tail traveling about 3 km/s. This velocity gradient
causes the jet to stretch and elongate, creating very high the metal. The commander’s hatch for the M2A2
L/D ratios. Shaped charge penetration is basically Bradley is a very intricate shape and a titanium forging
hydrodynamic where jet penetration is more a function resulted in providing a lower weight and ballistically
of the relative densities of the penetrator and target and equivalent hatch to the previous steel hatch.
jet length; strength effects approach 0. Figure 16
compares the semi-infinite penetration of a 102mm

Figure 17. M2A2 Forged Titanium

Figure 15. Formation of SC Jet Commanders Hatch
TITANIUM HOT PRESSED NET SHAPE BODY
ARMOR PLATES

In 2005-2006, ARL examined the use of hot pressing net

shape compound angle titanium body armor inserts in
conjunction with BAE Advanced Materials of Vista,
CA. The equipment used was the same hot presses used
to fabricate boron carbide ceramic plates for use in body
armors. Figure 18 shows a completed BAE hot pressed
titanium ballistic insert [24]. Plates were fabricated from
both Class 3 and 4 titanium alloys under MIL-DTL-
46077G. Perciballi of ArmorWorks, Tempe, AZ also
examined titanium body armor plates in 1998 [25].

TITANIUM COMPOSITES/LAMINATES
Figure 19. Multiple Impacts on a Titanium/
Aluminum Laminate

back plate [18-19]. ARL examined a prototype titanium

appliqué on a M113A3 personnel carrier aluminum
structure and had excellent ballistic performance over
heavier steel based appliqués. For newer structures, the
backing could also be fiber composites such as S2 glass,
Kevlar Aramids, or polyethylene Dyneema/
Spectrashield composites. The harder front face erodes
the projectile and the rear ductile layer captures the
remaining fragments or projectile.

DUAL HARD TITANIUM

Figure 20 conceptually shows a titanium dual hard

metallurgically bonded laminate similar in concept to
dual hard steel. A softer rear plate can reduce spalling of
the rear surface and contribute to higher performance.

Figure 18. Hot-Pressed Net Shape Ti-6Al-4V CP Ti Gr 2

Titanium Body Armor Plate

The use of titanium as a standalone armor material has

ballistic disadvantages due the breakout effects of
adiabatic shearing. Similar effects are found with high
hard steels. For this reason, these types of metals can be Beta Alloy Ti-6Al-4V
backed with ductile or compliant materials as a laminate
to create a much higher ballistic performance than the
individual materials. This is shown in Figure 19 where a
titanium plate is mechanically attached to an aluminum
Figure 20. Dual Hard Titanium Concept
These laminates would take advantage of mechanical Materials, under contract to ARL, developed a process
properties and ballistic response of the individual to hot-press large near net-shape FGM tiles in a single
components to make a superior ballistic material that stage utilizing titanium and titanium/titanium diboride
could be fabricated as a single plate. The earliest work in (TiB2) powder mixtures, forming a titanium monoboride
this area was undertaken between 1969 and 1976 at both (TiB) hard face/titanium metal substrate that grades
Lockheed Missile and New York State University for through intermediate layers [32]. As seen in Figure 22,
the former US Army Materials and Mechanics Research the TiB ceramic is formed through a reaction sintering
Center, now the Materials and Research Directorate of process between the TiB2 and titanium powders during
ARL [26-29]. At that time, a Ti-3Si-Fe-0.5N front face the hot-press phase. TiB is densified as a cermet
alloy was roll bonded to a Ti-7Al-2.5Mo back plate and (ceramic in a metal matrix) to aid in fabrication. A major
then heat-treated. The observation that a front hardness development in the process was overcoming the inherent
of 60 Rc or greater was optimum for ballistic resistance thermoelastic properties of the constituent layers and the
and maximum spall resistance occurred when the resultant stresses that arise from the differences in
thickness ratio of 70/30 was noted. Today, these plates thermal expansion coefficients and elastic moduli of the
could be metallurgically bonded by rolling, diffusion layers. Analytical and finite element modeling
bonding, hot-isostatically pressing or explosive welding. techniques were used to determine the residual stresses
ARL has investigated all four types of bonding and and modify the processing parameters. The resultant
found the ballistic performance can improve by10-25% tiles produced to date are among the largest functionally
depending on the threat and cross-sectional areal density
[30-31]. Figure 21 shows the cross-section of a hot
isostatically pressed Ti-6Al-4V/CP titanium laminate
after an overmatch perforation of a fragment simulator.
The penetrator impacted from the bottom and a ductile
petalling failure of the CP titanium is evident without
spalling. This combination was about 10% better that a
single Ti-6AL-4V weight equivalent plate. This research
area probably offers the best direction for ballistic
application of titanium to future combat systems and
these excellent older references should be revisited.

Figure 21. Hot Isostatically Pressed Ti-6Al-4V/CP

Titanium Dual Hard Laminate
FUNCTIONALLY GRADED TIB/TITANIUM
The development of functionally graded materials
(FGM) using ceramics and metals may offer even higher
performance than dual hardness metal laminates, but the Figure 22 Functionally Graded
material complexity is more demanding. BAE Advanced Titanium Monoboride/Titanium Plate
gradient materials produced in the world by a practical
process and represents an advancement for this
technology area.
HOT ISOSTATICALLY PRESSED
CERAMIC/TITANIUM MATRICES

Another more advanced ceramic laminate is hot

isostatically pressed ceramic tiles in titanium matrices.
The titanium matrix maintains a compressive load on the
ceramic, thereby allowing full advantage of the large
dynamic compressive strengths of ceramics [33]. This
process has led to the image of Figure 23 that shows the
defeat of a long rod tungsten alloy penetrator by a defeat
mechanism called interface dwell; the projectile is being
totally consumed at the front metal ceramic interface
with little damage to the ceramic. Again, the thermal
expansion coefficients and elastic moduli of the layers as
well as critical back plate stiffness drive this mechanism.

Titanium Ceramic Tile

Figure 23. Interface Dwell at the

Titanium/Ceramic Interface Figure 24. Hot Isostatically Pressed
Ceramic in Titanium Matrices
One fabrication method for incapsulation in a metallic are repetitively placed at a 60o angle such that the areal
structure is to hot isostatically press the titanium around weight is about 50% of a solid plate. The non-
the ceramic as seen in the two images of Figure 24 [34]. homogeneous cross-section causes the projectile to tip
and breakup; the disrupted fragments can then be
CAST P900 TITANIUM TIPPING PLATES captured in the base vehicle structure [18-19]. In 2007,
ARL published military specification MIL-PRF-32269
The development of single plate cast P900 steel tipping (MR) on Perforated Homogeneous Steel Armor that set
plates by ARL in the late 1980’s provided a significant the requirements for production and acceptance of this
improvement over single homogeneous steel armor technology [36]. Concurrently, ARL funded the
plates when used as the strike face for a spaced armor or development of titanium P900 using two different
appliqué armor system. The 1991 patent provides the casting techniques to demonstrate the feasibility of
details of the cross-sectional design of angular holes that producing lower weight net shape titanium castings that
is still used today [35]. As seen in Figure 25, the holes provided the required disruption or tipping action on the
 Figure 26. Pacific Cast Technologies
Cast P900 Titanium Plate

Figure 25. X-ray of a 14.5-mm Projectile

Impacting a Single P900 Plate
impacting penetrator. The intent was to demonstrate a
P900 titanium plate that met the general performance
requirements of the steel military specification, but
provided increased weight reduction for military
platforms.

Two casting technologies were selected for prototyping

the P900 plates. Figure 26 shows a 15” X 15” X 0.625”
cast titanium P900 plate produced by Pacific Cast Figure 27. ATI Wah Chang Cast
Technologies of Albany, OR (now part of ATI Wah P900 Titanium Plate
Chang) that was produced using StereoLithography
rapid prototyping technology and precision investment further developed using different alloys and heat
castings [37]. Figure 27 shows a 17” X 17” X 0.625” treatments. Besides ground vehicle application, the
cast titanium P900 plate produced by ATI Wah Chang of ability to cast to net shape has advantages for application
Albany, OR using rammed graphite mold processing and to aerospace protection requirements where weight is a
lost foam casting technology [38]. Both companies were critical factor. This was further conceptualized by ARL
successful in producing plates that met the requirements for application in “Perforated Fuselage Armor” that
of military specification and this technology needs to be would incorporate both ballistic protection mechanisms
and structural components [39].
MIL-DTL-46077G CLASS 4 TITANIUM ALLOYS applications. Figure 29 shows the large bend capabilities
available in MIL-DTL-46077G Class 4 ATI 425-MIL™
As mentioned earlier, MIL-DTL-46077G was created to titanium plate [41].
provide an incentive to the titanium industry to develop
non-aerospace grades of ballistic titanium [4]. The
chemistries of Class 1 and Class 2 mirror that of Ti-6Al-
4V ELI and standard grade 5. Class 3 allows for higher
levels of oxygen and Class 4 goes a step further by
removing the requirements for aluminum and vanadium.
The intent is to develop non-aerospace alloys for
protection requirements that can take full advantages of
low-cost processing and reduced production processes
that provide the required ballistic plate. Class 4 titanium
must still fall into the Alpha-Beta range of alloys and
meet all other mechanical and ballistic requirements for
the other classes of the military specification.

The application of titanium into ground platforms has

historically been greatly limited by the competition from
the aerospace industry and the cyclic cost variations as
demand for Class 1 and 2 Ti-6Al-4V alloys changes with Figure 28. Production Acceptance Testing on a
production requirements. As density and strength are 4.00” Class 3 MIL-DTL-46077G Plate
primary driving factors in the ballistic performance of
titanium, Class 4 titanium alloys offer the potential for
new ballistic applications. The development and
application of non-Ti-6Al-4V alloys also offers large
advantages due to the reduced use of higher cost
alloying elements and lower cost electron beam or
plasma beam processing. ARL considers this technical
direction as the best opportunity for increasing titanium
applications for ground applications in the future,
whether as a standalone material or use in combination
with other materials. Figure 28 shows the rear view of a
production acceptance test of a 4.0” Ti-6Al-4V Class 3
plate that easily passed the MIL-DTL-46077G
specification [40]. The test projectile here is a 30mm
tungsten projectile and the development of the spall disk
can be seen as the velocities are increased. Shot 13569
has an impact velocity just below the resultant V 50 and
the spall disk is almost fully separated.

ARL has examined a number of Class 4 titanium alloys

for potential applications; examples include TIMET
62S™ and ATI 425-MIL™. The latter alloy has shown
similar ballistic performance to the standard Class 2 Ti-
6Al-4V alloy, but utilizes iron in place of some higher-
cost vanadium as a beta stabilizer. The alloy can also be
both cold and hot-worked and this capability has shown Figure 29. Bend Capabilities of ATI 425-
advantages in a wide variety of developmental MIL™ Class 4 MIL-DTL-46077G Plate
Class 4 alloys may increase perceived production issues, not comprehensive and some applications cannot be
such as qualification costs associated with legacy vehicle discussed in this forum.
production, but this direction offers the best potential to
increase applications for both commercial and military One of the best illustrations of titanium on a current
platforms. legacy system is shown in Figure 30 on the M1A2
Abrams tank where a concerted effort was made to
CURRENT APPLICATIONS OF TITANIUM IN reduce weight of components on the chassis [43-44].
GROUND SYSTEMS While this weight reduction program envisioned a larger
replacement of components, these four areas reduced
The use of titanium in military platforms has been driven combat weight by over 1500 lbs without loss of function
by two related requirements, increased ballistic or protection. Figure 31 shows the M2A2 Bradley
performance when used as an armor or weight reduction Fighting Vehicle and two uses of titanium have been
to increase mobility or meet tactical requirements. Either incorporated into design [43]. The commanders hatch is
application takes advantage of the unique density and a titanium forging and a titanium roof appliqué was
strength properties of this metal. As armor, the added for increased protection. The Reactive Armor
performance has been documented in previous sections; boxes on the sides were also designed to utilize titanium
however, the use of titanium as a weight reduction sheet as a replacement for sheet metal in the box
technique is also employed. While some effort to utilize construction.
titanium plate as appliqués on trucks in the Korean War,
the earliest use of titanium for a structural application in The Ultra-light weight Field Howitzer, designated
a combat vehicle is shown in Figure 29 of a 1960 Detroit M777A1 in the USA, shown in Figure 32,was selected
Arsenal prototype of a titanium cab on an ONTOS in 1997 by a joint US Army/Marine Corps initiative to
tracked vehicle [42]. While the research on titanium replace the existing inventory of M198 155mm towed
armors continue with periodic armor designs, the main howitzers [45]. The construction of the M777A1 makes
drawback to the use of titanium remains the relative cost extensive use of titanium and titanium castings, enabling
to other metals. The majority of the structure and armor a weight reduction of 3,175kg (7,000lb) compared to the
components for the world’s combat vehicles remain steel M198 howitzer which it replaces in the US Army and
or aluminum based and large amounts of aluminum USMC inventory.
appliqués have been procured for add-on armor kits. The
advent of low cost titanium grades and increased cost of Current application of titanium is also found on two
more advanced materials such as composites and versions of the Stryker family of Vehicles [46]. Figure
ceramics has allowed the use of titanium alloys as cost 33 shows the Stryker Mobile Protected Gun System and
effective alternatives. The following paragraphs will the Gun Pod is fabricated from titanium. Also shown in
illustrate some applications of titanium to currently field Figure 34 is the titanium Gunners Protection Kit on the
combat vehicles and weapon systems; the discussion is RV and FSV versions of the Stryker. Titanium was used
to reduce weight for the application

Future platforms will utilize a range of advanced light

weight materials and low cost titanium has a role in
providing high strength, low weight structures and
components. These can be seen in a number of
prototypes developed by the US Army and their
contractors. Figure 35 shows the Pegasus electric drive
wheeled prototype developed by BAE Systems that
utilized both a lower and upper titanium welded
structure [47]. The vehicle incorporates a composite rear
space frame armor as well as the capability to mount a
composite appliqué. This was the first full titanium
vehicle prototype since the ONTOS vehicle in 1960.

Figure 29. 1960 Detroit Arsenal Titanium Cab on an

ONTOS Tracked Vehicle
 Figure 30. Titanium Weight Reduction Program for M1A2 Abrams Battle Tank

Commander’s Hatch Turret Roof Applique

Figure 31. Titanium Commanders Hatch and Roof Applique on M2A2 Bradley Fighting Vehicle
 Figure 35. BAE Pegasus Titanium
Wheeled Prototype
Figure 32. M777A1 Ultra-light Field Howitzer
The latest prototype titanium vehicle structure was an
early Future Combat Vehicle hull section that was used
to test composite armors (Figure 36) [48]. The lower
body and nose sections were fabricated from Military
Specification MIL-DTL-46077G Class 3 low cost
titanium and were mated to a composite and space frame
composite upper hull section. The vehicle was subjected
to extensive ballistic testing and shock loading to
measure the vehicle response.

Figure 33. Titanium Gunners Overhead

Protected Gun System on RV and RSV Stryker

Figure 36. Prototype Future Combat

Vehicle Titanium Hull Section

Figure 34. Stryker Mobile Protected Gun

System Titanium Gun Pod
CONCLUSIONS Mechanics, Melbourne, Australia ,21-23 February 1996
9. Bless, S.J., Gooch, W., Sataphaty, S., Campos, J., and
This paper has provided an overview on the use of Lee, M., Penetration Resistance of Titanium and Ultra-
titanium alloys in military ground systems and updates Hard Steel at Elevated Velocities, Proceedings,
information presented in the 2010 presentation [49]. The Hypervelocity Impact Society Symposium, Freiburg,
emphasis has been to examine the design and processing GE, 7-10 Oct 1996
aspects in the application of this lightweight, high 10. Gooch, W. and Burkins, M., A Ballistic Evaluation
strength metal and emphasize cost/performance of Ti-6AL-4V vs. Long Rod Penetrators, NATO Applied
tradeoffs. With major emphasis on lightening future Vehicle Technology Panel, Loen, Norway, 7-11 May
ground platforms, low cost grades of titanium, 2001.
particularly Class 4 alloys outside the standard Ti-6Al- 11. Jones, T, “Ballistic Performance of Titanium Alloys:
4V alloy family, can provide both structural and ballistic Ti-6Al-4V versus Russian Titanium”, ARL-CR-0533,
solutions. Further research into dual hard titanium offers U.S. Army Research Laboratory, February 2004
further weight reduction and ballistic performance. Both 12. Burkins, M., Wells, M., Fanning, J., and Roopchand,
these areas can translate into reduced material costs that B., The Mechanical and Ballistic Properties of an
make titanium more competitive as compared to other Electron Beam Single Melt of Ti-6Al-4V Plate, ARL-
armor technologies. MR-515, May 2001
13. Burkins M.S., Love W., and Wood J.R., Effect of
Annealing Temperature on the Ballistic Limit Velocity of
REFERENCES Ti-6Al-4V ELI, Report ARL-MR-359, U.S. Army
Research Laboratory, August 1997
1. Pitler R. and Hurlich A., Some Mechanical and 14. Burkins M.S., Hansen J., Paige J., and Turner P.,
Ballistic Properties of Titanium and Titanium Alloys, Effect of Thermal Mechanical Processing on the
Report #401/17, Watertown Arsenal Laboratory, March Ballistic Performance of Titanium, Proceedings, Non-
1950 Aerospace Applications of Titanium, Minerals, Metals
2. Sliney J., Status and Potential of Titanium Armor, and Materials Society, San Antonio, TX, ed. By Froes
Proceedings of the Metallurgical Advisory Committee F.H., Allen P.G., and Niinomi M., February 16-19, 1998
on Rolled Armor, AMRA MS 64-04, U.S. Army 15. Burkins M.S., Hansen J., Paige J., and Turner P.,
Materials Research Agency, January 1964 Effect of Thermal Mechanical Processing on the
3. Donachie M., ed., Titanium: A Technical Guide, Ballistic Limit Velocity of Extra Low Interstitial
Metals Park, OH: ASM International, 1989 Titanium Alloy Ti-6Al-4V, ARL-MR-486, July 2000
4. MIL-DTL-46077G, Armor Plate, Titanium Alloy, 16. Burkins, M.S., Hermann, W., and Kosaka, Y., A
Weldable, 28 September 2007 Ballistic Evaluation of Ti-6Al-4V Alloy Castings,
5. Burkins, M.S., A Ballistic Evaluation of Ti-6Al-4V vs. Aeromat 2000, Bellevue (Seattle), 26-29 June 2000.
Long Rod Penetrators, ARL-TR-1146, U.S. Army 17. Gooch W., Burkins M., Walters W., Kozhushko A.
Research Laboratory, July 1996 and Sinani A., Target Strength Effect on Penetration l by
6. Gooch, W., Burkins, M., Ernst, H.-J., and Wolf, T., Shaped Charge Jets, Hypervelocity Impact Society
Ballistic Performance of Titanium against Laboratory Symposium, Galveston, Texas, 6-10 November 2000
Penetrators with Aspect-Ratios of 10 or Greater, 18. Gooch, W., An Overview of Protection Technology
Proceedings, 15th International Ballistics Symposium, for Ground and Space Applications, Second Australian
1995 Congress on Applied Mechanics, Canberra, Australia,
7. Gooch, W., Burkins, M., Ernst, H.J., and Wolf, T., 10-12 February 1999
Ballistic Penetration of Titanium Alloy Ti-6Al-4V, 19. Gooch, W., An Overview of Protection Technology
Proceedings of the Lightweight Armour Systems for Ground and Space Applications, NATO Applied
Symposium, The Royal Military College of Science, Vehicle Technology Panel, Aalborg, Denmark, 23-26
Shrivenham, Swindon, England, 1995 September 2002
8. Gooch, W., Burkins, M. and Frank, K., Ballistic 20. Walters W., Gooch W. and Burkins M., The
Performance of Titanium Against Laboratory Penetration Resistance of a Titanium Alloy against Jets
Penetrators, 1ST Australasian Congress on Applied from Tantalum Shaped Charge Liners, 3rd Joint
Classified Ballistics Symposium, San Diego, CA 1-4 34. Gooch, W., Overview of the Development of
May 2000 Ceramic Armor Technology: Past, Present and in the
21. Walters W., Gooch W. and Burkins M., The Future, 30th International Conference on Advanced
Penetration Resistance of a Titanium Alloy against Jets Ceramics and Composites, Cocoa Beach, Fl, 22-27
from Tantalum Shaped Charge Liners, Journal of January 2006.
Combustion, Explosion and Shock Waves, Vol 36, No. 35. Gooch, W., Burkins, M., Mills, L., Ogilvy, J. and
6, 2000, pages 745-750 Ricchiazzi, A., Cast Single Plate P900 Armor, U.S.
22. Walters W., Gooch W. and Burkins M., The Patent 5007326, April 16, 1991
Penetration Resistance of a Titanium Alloy against Jets 36. MIL-PRF-32269 (MR), Performance Specification -
from Tantalum Shaped Charge Liners, International Perforated Homogeneous Steel Armor, 18 October
Journal of Impact Engineering 26, 2001, Pages 823-830 2007
23. Burkins, M., The Design and Application of
37. Photo provided courtesy of Pacific Cast
Titanium Alloys for U.S. Army Platforms, Military Panel,
Technologies, Albany, OR
International Titanium Association Titanium 2008,
38. Photo provided courtesy of ATI Wah Chang,
September 24, 2008.
Albany, OR
24. Photo provided courtesy Rich Palicka, BAE
39. Gooch, W. and Burkins, M., Perforated Fuselage
Advanced Materials Division, Vista, CA
Armor Concept, National Specialist Meeting on
25. Perciballi, W., Titanium Body Armor Plates, SBIR
Rotocraft Structures and Survivability, American
Phase 1 Final Report, Contract USZA22-98-P-0007,
Helicopter Society, Williamsburg, VA, 25-27 October
1998
2005
26. Farrar P., Development of Improved Titanium Armor,
40. ARL ballistic certification on 4.00” Titanium Plate
AMMRC CR-69-16 (AD0697178), New York
in accordance with MIL-DTL-46077G
University, August 1969
41. Photo provided courtesy of Larry Martin, ATI
27. Perkins R. and Rennhack E., Evaluation of Dual-
Defense, Washington, PA
Hardness Titanium Alloy Armor, AMMRC CR 70-3,
42. Gooch, W., The Design and Application of Titanium
(AD0702238), Lockheed Missiles and Space Company,
Alloys for U.S. Army Platforms, Military Panel,
January 1970
International Titanium Association Titanium 2009,
28. Perkins R. and Rennhack E., Processing and
September 24, 2009
Ballistic Evaluation of Dual-Hardness Titanium Armor,
43. Figure provided courtesy of PEO CS&CSS, PM
AMMRC CTR 74-17 (AD0777809), Lockheed Missiles
Abrams, Warren, MI
and Space Company, April 1974
44. Wells, M., Roopchand, B., Montgomery, J., and
29. Perkins R. and Rennhack E., Dual Hardness
Gooch, W., Titanium Applications and R&D for Army
Titanium Alloy Composite Armor, AMMRC CR 76-01,
Ground Systems, Proceedings of 1998 TMS Annual
Lockheed Missiles and Space Company, January 1976
Meeting, San Antonio, TX, 16-19 Feb 1998,
30. Hernandez V., Unpublished Research on Ballistic
45. Website, Army-Technology.com
Evaluation of Bonding Methods for Titanium, December
46. Photos provided courtesy of Terry Dean, PM
2006.
Stryker, PEO CS&CSS, Warren, MI
31. Bruchey W. and Burkins M., Suppression of
47. Figure provided courtesy of BAE Systems, Santa
Material Failure Modes in Titanium Armors, ARL-TR-
Clara, CA
3124, December 2003
48. Figure provided courtesy of BAE Systems, Santa
32. Gooch W., Burkins M., Palicka R., Rubin J.,
Clara, CA
Ravichandran R., Development and Ballistic Testing of a
49. Gooch, W., The Design and Application of Titanium
Functionally Gradient Ceramic/Metal Applique, 17th
Alloys to U.S. Army Platforms, Titanium 2010, Gaylord
International Ballistics Symposium, Midrand, South
Palms Convention Center, Orlando, Florida, 3-6 October
Africa, 23-27 March 1998
2010
33. Hauver, G., Rapacki, Jr., E., Netherwood, P., and
Benck, R., Interface Defeat of Long-Rod Projectiles by
Ceramic Armor, ARL-TR-3590, September 2005
Potential Applications of Titanium
Alloys in Armor Systems
TITANIUM 2011
MILITARY PANEL
San Diego, CA
2-5 October 2011
William A. Gooch Jr.
WA Gooch Consulting Inc.
St. Petersburg, FL 33716
1
WA Gooch Consulting Inc.
 Introduction

• Titanium was first examined for armor applications in 1950 by the Watertown
Arsenal and Ti-6Al-4V become the main alloy of interest
• The main advantage of titanium relates to the lower density at equal or higher
strengths than rolled homogenous armor steel of equal thickness (23.2 vs 40.8
psf for 1” board foot ~43% weight reduction)
• This is the fifth year this overview has been at the ITA and the written paper
provides a detailed review of the ballistic aspects of titanium alloys
• In this short time, I would like to re-emphasize two technical areas that can
lead to increased use of titanium alloys in the future:
Emphasis 1: Class 3 and Class 4 Titanium alloys under MIL-DTL-46077G
Emphasis 2: Dual hard titanium
• The presentation will show some new applications and end with an overview
of current and proposed future applications of titanium for military ground
vehicles

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 KE Ballistic Performance of RHA and Titanium
300

2
250 Ti: P=348.8*exp(-(1.486/V) )
131W-Ti
2
RHA: P=292.6*exp(-(1.404/V) )
131W-RHA
200
PENETRATION (mm)

150

100

RHA - Rolled Homogenous Armor Steel

50 162-g L/D 13 Tungsten Long Rod
At 1.5 km/s, mass efficiency is ~1.76
Ti thickness basis: 1.0-1.2 X RHA
0
0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0

IMPACT VELOCITY (km/s) 3

WA Gooch Consulting Inc.
 Beta Transus for Ti-6Al-4V

Beta β
Body-Centered
Cubic

Ti-6Al-4V Beta Transus Temperature ~996oC (1825oF )

Temperature

Alpha α
Close-packed
Hexagonal

4
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 Failure Analysis of 20mm Fragment
Simulating Projectile Impact

Failure by a mixed
15mm process of bulging,
delamination, shearing,
and spalling

5mm

αβ

Failure by
low-energy
plugging
β 5
WA Gooch Consulting Inc.
 Adiabatic Shear Bands in Titanium

Strain causes Heat cannot

localized heating dissipate

1 µm

Additional strain Material softens

in soft areas
6
WA Gooch Consulting Inc.
Deep Penetration into Titanium
Showing Adiabatic Shear Bands

7
WA Gooch Consulting Inc.
Spall Plug Breakout of Stand alone Titanium

SPALL RING
BREAKOUT

SHEAR BANDS AND

DELAMINATION
PENETRATOR
CHANNEL

SHEAR BANDS AND

DELAMINATION

8
WA Gooch Consulting Inc.
Shaped Charge Penetration

Formation of SC Jet 9
WA Gooch Consulting Inc.
Shaped Charge Penetration into Titanium

~25 inches
1028 lbs/ft2

102mm tantalum liner

~27 inches
635 lbs/ft2

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WA Gooch Consulting Inc.
 Titanium MIL-DTL-46077F & G

Max. O2
Chemistry Comments
Content
Class 1 6AL- 4V 0.14% ELI - 10% Elongation Minimum
Historical Armor Alloy
Class 2 6AL- 4V 0.20%
6% Elongation Minimum
Higher Scrap/O2 Content
Class 3 6AL- 4V 0.30%
Electron Beam/Plasma Melting
Lower cost alloying
Class 4 Not Limited 0.30%
Non Aerospace Alloys

All four classes have the same minimum strength and ballistic requirements
MIL-DTL-46077G - Expanded thickness range: 3mm-101.6mm
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WA Gooch Consulting Inc.
 Emphasis 1
Class 3 and 4 MIL-DTL-46077G Plate

Production Acceptance Testing of a TIMET Bend Capabilities of ATI 425-

4.00” Class 3 Plate MIL™ Class 4 Armor Plate
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WA Gooch Consulting Inc.
 Titanium Laminates/Dual Hard
Titanium

Ti-6Al-4V CP Ti Gr 2

Beta Alloy Ti-6Al-4V

Titanium Wrought Plate Dual Hard Titanium

Bolted to an Aluminum Concepts
Rear Plate
13
WA Gooch Consulting Inc.
 Emphasis 2
Titanium Dual Hard Armor

CP

Ti-6Al-4V

ARL Hot Isostatically Pressed Ti-6Al-4V/CP

Titanium Dual Hard Laminate
References 26-29 in paper - Dual Hard Titanium
reports from 1969-1976 14
WA Gooch Consulting Inc.
 Potential Applications
Titanium Body Armor Plate

BAE Advanced Materials Hot-Pressed Net Shape Titanium

Double Compound Angle Body Armor Plate 15
WA Gooch Consulting Inc.
 Potential Applications
Functionally Graded Titanium Monoboride/Titanium

ARL & BAE Advanced Materials

16
WA Gooch Consulting Inc.
 Potential Applications
Hot Isostatically Pressed Ceramic in Titanium Matrices

Titanium/Ceramic Dwell on Ceramic by Post Impact Condition

Preform before HIP Long Rod Penetrator

17
WA Gooch Consulting Inc.
 Steel P900 Tipping Plate Armors

Cast P900 Tipping X-ray of 14.5-mm Projectile

Plate Armor Impacting a Single P900 Plate
18
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 PotentialApplications
Titanium P900 Armors

Pacific Cast Technologies ATI Wah Chang Cast

Cast P900 Titanium Plate P900 Titanium Plate 19
WA Gooch Consulting Inc.
 Titanium Armor for Ground Systems

Proposed as modular armor for 5 Ton Trucks

during the Korean War

Steel used due to cost and availability issues.

20
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 Titanium Welding

Yes, that’s
1960

Titanium Welded Cab on ONTOS Vehicle 21

WA Gooch Consulting Inc.
 Weight Reduction Applications

Titanium Weight Reduction Program for

M1A2 Abrams Battle Tank

GDLS >1500 lbs weight savings 22

WA Gooch Consulting Inc.
 Design Simplification Application

Forged Lower Weight/Equal Performance

M2A2 Bradley Fighting Vehicle Commanders Hatch

Ti-6-2-1-1 Turret Roof Applique

23
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Weight Reduction Application for Air Transportability

Ultra-light Weight M777A1 Towed Howitzer

Utilizes Extensive Titanium Castings and Plate
>7000lbs savings over
Steel M198

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 Protection and Weight Reduction Applications
Stryker Family of Vehicles

Titanium Gun Pod on Stryker

Mobile Protection Gun System

Titanium Commanders Cupola on

RV and FSV Stryker Systems
25
Courtesy – PM Stryker WA Gooch Consulting Inc.
 Prototype Applications

BAE Pegasus Titanium Wheeled Prototype

Courtesy - BAE Santa Clara 26

WA Gooch Consulting Inc.
 Prototype Applications

Future Combat Vehicle Titanium Hull Prototype

27
BAE/TARDEC/ARL WA Gooch Consulting Inc.
 Conclusions
• This presentation provided a cursory overview of the technical
investigation of titanium for military ground applications.
• The written paper has expanded technical detail and references
• The main advantage of titanium relates to its lower density at
equal or higher strengths than armor steel of equal thickness.
Emphasis:
• Military Specification MIL-DTL-46077G increased the thickness
range and defined Class 3 &4 alloys that provide equal protection
at lower processing costs through increased oxygen levels, greater
scrap content, advanced processing and reduced alloying.
• The development of Dual Hard titanium offers higher KE
performance at equal weight and needs to be re-examined again.
Thank you
28