IL179146A

IL179146A - Ceramic armour plate, an armour system and method of manufacturing a ceramic armour plate

Info

Publication number: IL179146A
Application number: IL179146A
Authority: IL
Original assignee: Deutsch Zentr Luft & Raumfahrt
Priority date: 2004-05-19
Filing date: 2006-11-09
Publication date: 2012-10-31
Also published as: EP1747419B8; DE502005010042D1; IL179146A0; US20070125223A1; ATE476636T1; EP1747419A1; EP1747419B1; DE102004026515A1; ZA200609276B; WO2005114089A1

Abstract

A ceramic armor plate is proposed which is formed in one piece and which comprises a plurality of connected segments that are functionally separated by crack stoppers, whereby the crack stoppers serve to prevent the propagation of cracks from one segment to a neighboring segment.

Description

21513/06 179146/2 THp ΙΓΊϋ] ΠΤ7 ΊΙ 1^ illTUJl ΓΓ.ΓΤϋ] ΏΏΙΏΏ , ]Ί]7 ΙΓΊίϋ ΠΤ? A CERAMIC ARMOUR PLATE, AN ARMOUR SYSTEM AND A METHOD OF MANUFACTURING A CERAMIC ARMOUR. PLATE \ DESCRIPTION A CERAMIC ARMOUR PLATE, AN ARMOUR SYSTEM AND A METHOD OF MANUFACTURING A CERAMIC ARMOUR PLATE The invention relates to a ceramic armour plate.

Furthermore, the invention relates to an armour system.

Furthermore, the invention relates to a method of manufacturing a ceramic armour plate.

An armour system is known from EP 0 810 415 Bl (DE 697 07 560 T2) for example; this comprises a plurality of ceramic tiles which are arranged in a tile layer. The purpose of the ceramic tiles is to destroy the core of a striking projectile due to the hardness of the ceramic.

Starting from this, the object of the invention is to provide a ceramic armour plate and an armour system which are producible in a simple manner.

This object is solved in accordance with the invention in that the ceramic armour plate is formed in one-piece and comprises a plurality of connected segments which are functionally separated by crack stoppers, wherein the crack stoppers serve to prevent the propagation of cracks from one segment to a neighbouring segment.

In accordance with the invention, there is provided a one-piece armour plate incorporating integrally produced crack stoppers. The manufacturing process is thereby considerable simplified since there is no need to manufacture a plurality of individual tiles which must then be joined together, but rather, a whole plate covering a larger surface area is manufactured in integral manner. Since a joining process is not necessary, the problems associated therewith are also avoided. For example, deformation and a decrease in size can occur when manufacturing ceramic plates. If ceramic tiles are to be joined, then this requires a complex manufacturing process in order to join them such that they match precisely with only small width gaps between the tiles. In the case of the ceramic armour plate in accordance with the invention however, such a jointing process is not necessary so that the manufacturing process is less complex.

The crack stoppers can be formed in a simple manner during the manufacturing process, for example, by means of cracks produced in a defined manner or, y means of grooves which are formed before the ceramicization process. It is thereby possible to produce the functional segments such that they are defined for the desired field of application.

It is also possible to manufacture a ceramic armour plate with a defined curvature for certain fields of application. If individual tiles are joined, then it is considerably more difficulty to produce such a curved arrangement since the tiles in the composite tile structure may be of different curvature.

Compared with a composite tile structure, there are a multiplicity of ways for forming the armour plate due to the integration of the crack stoppers into the armour plate. This may be formed in multiple layers for example, whereby the crack stoppers can be arranged in different ways in the differing layers. This thus results in a larger number of ways for controlling and adjusting the course of a crack in the event of bombardment and thus for the ballistic characteristics of the armour plate.

Improved protection is also provided as a result of the crack stoppers in the event of multiple bombardment.

In addition, different segment geometries can be realized, such as rectangles, hexagons, curved segments etc. for example.

It is especially advantageous, if the crack stoppers are integrated into the armour plate. In consequence, the armour plate can easily be manufactured and an armour system comprising at least one armour plate in accordance with the invention can also be manufactured in a simple manner.

In particular, the crack stoppers are formed in the solid material of the armour plate so that separate tiles that have to be joined at a later time do not need to be provided. The process of manufacturing the armour plate is thereby considerably simplified, whereby a large surface area can be manufactured in a simple manner.

In particular, the crack stoppers are produced when manufacturing the armour plate.

In one embodiment, the crack stoppers are formed by recesses and/or from recesses. The recesses can be produced in a particularly simple manner prior to the process of ceramicizing an armour plate preform. They can be arranged in a defined manner. For example, a grid of recesses can be produced.

Furthermore, the recesses can be produced with defined depths. When the armour plate has been manufactured, the recesses are not necessarily still present. For example, they are filled with a parting agent before infiltrating them with carbide-forming materials (such as silicon for the siliconizing process). Their crack stopping function is still maintained however, since the material of the segments (SiC for example) exhibits a significantly higher speed of sound than the material of the parting agent in the recesses (for example BN, C, SI). It is also possible to have a filling consisting of a carbon-rich paste which is not converted to SiC during the siliconizing process, or one consisting of pure silicon.

In particular, the recesses are produced in the thickness direction of the armour plate. The armour plate is thus divided into functional segments, whereby the segments are contiguous. The recesses prevent propagation of a crack beyond a segment if a segment experiences an impact such as the impact of a projectile for example.

It is also possible for the recesses to be produced at an angle of between 15° and 45° with respect to a thickness direction of the armour plate. This can be advantageous for certain fields of application.

Provision may be made for the recesses to be non-penetrating. For example, crack stoppers are formed by grooves and/or from grooves. Such grooves can be produced in a simple manner, for example, by a milling process or laser working or a water-jet cutting process.

It is preferable for the depth of the grooves to lie in a range of between 0.05 and 0.9, and preferably between 0.1 and 0.6 of the thickness of the armour plate. In consequence, a crack stopping effect can be obtained on the one hand and a one-piece armour plate can be formed on the other.

It is also possible for through recesses to be provided in the thickness direction. To this end, the crack stoppers are formed by perforations and/or from perforations for example.

It is also possible for the crack stoppers to be formed by cracks. Such cracks can be produced in a defined manner, in that, for example, cover plates (covering layers) are placed on a solid material perform, these plates having a different coefficient of thermal expansion than that of the solid material preform. An integral composite material having cracks formed therein is produced in the subsequent ceramicization process.

In particular, the cracks serving as crack stoppers run between an upper surface and a lower surface of the armour plate. In consequence, the armour plate can be divided into functional segments, whereby the propagation of cracks beyond segments is stoppable.

It is expedient if the cracks run at least approximately in the thickness direction of the armour plate. In consequence, the armour plate can be divided into segments which correspond to a composite tile structure having joints between the tiles although the armour plate is formed in one-piece.

It is expedient if there are provided covering layers between which the cracks extend. The armour plate is thereby covered by a crack-free covering layer at the upper surface and lower surface thereof. Due again to the covering layers, it is then possible to produce defined cracks during the process of manufacturing the armour plate.

The covering layers are made of C/C-SiC for example. To this end for example, C/C preforms are fixed on the lower surface and the upper surface of a porous C preform and this is then followed by a siliconizing process.

Covering layers consisting of C-C-SiC can thereby be formed. Due to the different material properties, a crack structure can be produced during the siliconizingiprocess or during the process of cooling the body infiltrated with silicon, whereby the cracks run between the covering layers. Again, the functional segments can be produced thereby. The size of the segments can be established by using different layers having differing coefficients of thermal expansion.

In principle, it is possible for the crack stoppers to be in the form of defects such as cracks for example.

It has proved to be expedient if the distance between the crack stoppers lies in a range of between 5 mm and 100 mm, and preferably in a range of between 30 mm and 50 mm.

It can be expedient to provide a multi-layer structure. The layers are thereby formed together in one-piece. For example, a plurality of layers are joined together in' one-piece (in situ) in the course of the ceramicization process (such as by the infiltration of liquid silicon, i.e. a siliconizing process for example).

The armour plate is made of a silicon carbide ceramic for example. This has a high hardness so that a projectile striking it is destroyed. It is also conceivable for the armour plate to be manufactured from other carbide forming metals such as titanium or chrome.

It is expedient, if the crack stoppers are introduced into the ceramic material of the armour plate and if, in particular, they are embedded therein. There is, in particular, no connection to the surfaces.

The armour plate can be manufactured, in particular, from a carbon-containing preform. Such a preform is workable in a simple manner. It is capable of being at least partially ceramicized. For example, this preform is manufactured by means of graphite powders and bonding agents.

The armour plate in accordance with the invention can be manufactured economically, if the ceramic material of the armour plate is manufactured by means of a biomorphic material and in particular, a cellulose containing material. Appropriate manufacturing processes are described in the not prior published German Application No. 103 29 822.3 dated 30 June 2003 or in DE 199 47 731 Al. Express reference to these documents is made.

The armour plate in accordance with the invention can be utilised advantageously in an armour system which comprises at least one armour plate in accordance with the invention.

A corresponding armour system has, in particular, a multi-layer structure. An example is described in EP 0 810 415 Bl to which reference is expressly made. Instead of a plurality of tiles as is described therein, at least one armour plate in accordance with the invention can be used.

In particular, the at least one armour plate is then seated on a backing (a structural supporting layer) which is preferably made of a lightweight construction material such as aluminium or carbon Kevlar or aramid.

Furthermore, the object of the invention is to provide a method for the manufacture of a ceramic armour plate which can be carried out in a simple manner.

In accordance with the invention, this object is achieved in that crack stoppers are produced in an armour plate preform and the armour plate is divided into contiguous functional segments by the crack stoppers.

In accordance with the invention, the crack stoppers (for the armour plate being manufactured) are formed, namely, in an armour plate preform into which they can be introduced without complication in the course of the manufacturing process for the ceramic armour plate. This thus results in an easy manner of fabrication, whereby defined functional segments are obtainable by means of a defined process of producing crack stoppers.

The method in accordance with the invention has the advantages already described in connection with the ceramic armour plate in accordance with the invention.

Further advantageous embodiments of the method in accordance with the invention were likewise explained hereinbefore in connection with the ceramic armour plate in accordance with the invention.

In principle, it is possible for the crack stoppers to be introduced after the ceramicization process.

In particular, the crack stoppers are produced before the armour plate material is subjected to the ceramicization process. It is then possible for the crack stoppers to be formed in the material by means of a machining process for example. In the stage before the ceramicization process, the material is less hard by far than after the ceramicization process and is therefore more easily worked.

For example, the crack stoppers are formed by the production of recesses. These can be produced in a simple manner such as to have a defined arrangement and shape by means of a mechanical material-working process such as a machining process (milling, boring, grinding etc.) and/or beam processing such as laser working or water-jet machining.

Provision may be made for the recesses to be filled with a parting agent. The purpose of the parting agent is to ensure the crack stopping function for the finished armour plate (which is subjected to a ceramicization process). In particular, the parting agent serves to prevent wetting with a carbide-forming material during the ceramicization process. For example, the filling process can be effected using a carbon-rich paste. Carbon webs can thereby be produced in a ceramic armour plate. The filling process could also be effected using silicon.

It is also possible for the crack stoppers to be produced in the form of defined cracks.

For example, the cracks are produced by the connection to cover plates.

These cover plates are placed on a preform prior to the ceramicization process. A one-piece connection of the cover plates is effected by means of the ceramicization process for example by means of a siliconizing process, whereby cracks are producible.

In particular, the cover plates are made of C/C, i.e. made of carbon fibre reinforced carbon.

It is also expedient to provide a multi-layer structure wherein the layers are connected in situ for forming a one-piece armour plate during the ceramicization process. The characteristics of the ceramic armour plate can thus be controlled or adjusted in a defined manner. For example, crack stopper structures can be formed in respective individual layers. Thus a breakage cascade resulting from bombardment can be controlled in order to increase the ballistic protection.

The following description of preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the drawing serves to provide a more detailed explanation of the invention. In the drawing: Figure 1 shows a schematic illustration of a first exemplary embodiment of a ceramic armour plate in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 a schematic illustration of a second exemplary embodiment; Figure 3 a sectional view of the armour plate in accordance with Figure 1; Figure 4 a sectional view of a third exemplary embodiment; Figure 5 a sectional view of a fourth exemplary embodiment; Figure 6 a sectional view of a fifth exemplary embodiment; Figure 7 a sectional view of a sixth exemplary embodiment and Figure 8 a perspective partial sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of an armour system which comprises a ceramic armour plate in accordance with the invention.

A first exemplary embodiment of an armour plate in accordance with the invention is schematically shown in Figure 1 and bears the general reference 10 therein. The armour plate 10 is made of a silicon carbide ceramic.

To this end, a carbon-containing armour plate preform is manufactured. For the purposes of manufacturing the armour plate preform for example, a cellulose-containing material is used and a porous preform is manufactured therefrom. The preform is then converted by means of pyrolysis into an open-pored carbon body. Grooves 12 are formed in this preform prior to the ceramicization process. For example, a rectangular grid 14 of grooves 12 is produced. Crack stoppers, which prevent the propagation of cracks, are formed by the grooves 12.

It is also possible for the grooves 12 or recesses to be formed in a green body prior to the pyrolysis process. (The mechanical treatment is simplified thereby.) The gap between neighbouring segments is made smaller by virtue of the contraction occurring during pyrolysis. In the case of a green body incorporating recesses or grooves, the danger of delamination occurring during the pyrolysis process is reduced because the gases can escape more quickly via the recesses or grooves.

The grooves 12 subdivide the armour plate 10 into individual segments 16, whereby the segments 16 are connected; the armour plate 10 is formed in one-piece. The segments 16 are functionally defined. They are bounded by grooves 12. The grooves 12 prevent cracks which develop in a segment (in the segment 18 for example, due to the impact of a projectile) from propagating to neighbouring segments 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, 20e, 20f, 20g, 20h.

The grooves 12 are formed after the pyrolysis process before the armour plate preform is subjected to the ceramicization process. This is effected by subjecting the material to a machining processing such as milling and/or laser working for example.

The grooves 12 extend in the thickness direction d of the armour plate 10. The thickness of the armour plate 10 is D (Figure 1). The depth of the grooves 12: preferably lies in a range of between 0.1 and 0.6 times the thickness D of the armour plate 10. The typical depth of the grooves 12 is approximately 6 mm.

The segments 16 defined by the grid 14 of grooves 12 has typical transverse dimensions (perpendicular to the thickness direction d) of between 30 mm and 50 mm.

Subsequent to the formation of the grooves 12, the armour plate preform is subjected to a siliconizing process; the armour plate preform is converted into a silicon carbide armour plate by infiltration of materials comprising silicon.

For the purposes of manufacturing the armour plate perform, provision may be made for a cellulose-containing powder to be used as the starting constituent. A suitable manufacturing process is disclosed in the not prior published German patent application No. 103 29 822.3 dated 30 June 2003 of the same applicant (wherein a porous preform is made from a cellulose-containing material, the porous preform is converted into an open-pored carbon body by means of pyrolysis and the open-pored carbon body is converted into a carbide ceramic incorporating silicon, in particular, a silicon carbide ceramic by infiltration of materials incorporating silicon, wherein at least a cellulose-containing powder is used as the starting constituent for the production of the preform. In this application, there are also disclosed components which comprise carbon bodies that are infiltrated by materials incorporating silicon and thereby substantially ceramicized into a carbide incorporating silicon and in particular into silicon carbide, whereby the carbon body has a substantially homogeneous porous structure due to the use of an at least cellulose-containing powder and a bonding agent as the starting constituents. Reference is expressly made to this application.

The grooves 12 can be filled with a parting agent such as boron nitride prior to the siliconizing process; silicon does not wet the parting agent. Thus defects, which also serve as crack stoppers, will remain from the siliconizing process.

In accordance with the invention, crack stoppers are formed in the armour plate 10. In the exemplary embodiment in accordance with Figure 1, these crack stoppers are the grooves 12 which are formed in grid-like manner. If a projectile hits a segment, the segment 18 for example (hatched for illustrative purposes in Figure 1), then the grooves 12 surrounding the segment 18 prevent cracks from propagating into the neighbouring segments 20a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h.

The armour plate 10 can be manufactured integrally and the crack stoppers are formed in the armour plate 10 in an integral manner. It is also possible for example, for the armour plate 10 to be manufactured with appropriate curvatures.

In the exemplary embodiment in accordance with Figure 1, non-penetrating recesses are formed in an armour plate preform by the grooves 12.

It is also possible, as is shown with the aid of a second exemplary embodiment 22 (Figure 2), for recesses 24 in the form of perforations to be formed in an armour plate preform prior to the ceramicization process. These perforations likewise serve as crack stoppers in order to prevent the propagation of cracks from a segment 26 to the neighbouring segments.

A sectional view through the armour plate in accordance with Figure 1 is schematically illustrated in Figure 3. One can perceive the crack stoppers which are in the form of grooves 12 formed in the surface. A surface 30 from which the grooves 12 extend is preferably located opposite an outer surface 28 of the armour plate 10. The outer surface 28 is preferably directed outwardly when in use.

As shown schematically in Figure 4 wherein it bears the general reference 32, it is also possible for an armour plate to be built up from a plurality of layers, for example, from a first layer 34a, a second layer 34b and a third layer 34c. The layers 34a, 34b, 34c are connected integrally together so that the armour plate 32 is formed in one-piece. The layers 34a, 34b, 34c are produced from separately pyrolysed preforms for example, whereafter the corresponding layers are then connected to one another in one-piece manner by the siliconizing process.

Crack stoppers in the form of grooves 36 are formed in the layers 34a, 34b, 34c before the ceramicization process (siliconizing process). The formation of the grooves is, in principle, effected in the manner described above in connection with the first exemplary embodiment. Thus, functional segments 38a, 38b, 38c are produced in each layer. The segments in each layer are thereby functionally separated by the grooves 36 serving as crack stoppers.

The grooves 36 have a typical depth of approximately 3 mm.

Provision may be made for the segments of neighbouring layers to overlap. For example, the segments 38b of the layer 34c in each case overlap the segments 38c and 38a of the layers 34a and 34c.

In a further exemplary embodiment of an armour plate which is schematically illustrated in Figure 5 and referenced 40 therein, grooves 42 and 44 are formed such as to extend from opposite surfaces 46, 48. The grooves 42, 44 are non-penetrating and are mutually displaced with respect to a direction transverse to the thickness direction d. Functional segments are thereby also formed in the armour plate 40, whereby the grooves 42, 44 serving as crack stoppers prevent the propagation of cracks 54 beyond a segment in the event that a particular segment is hit by a projectile for example.

In a further exemplary embodiment of an armour plate which is shown in Figure 6 and bears the general reference 50 therein, there is provided a multilayer structure comprising a first layer 52a, a second layer 52b and a third layer 52c. These layers consist of silicon carbide layers for example, which are integrally connected together by means of a siliconizing process. Hereby, provision may be made for the middle layer 52b to comprise cracks 54 which are produced in a defined manner. The cracks run at least approximately parallel to a thickness direction of the armour plate 50. The cracks 54 serve as crack stoppers. The armour plate 50 is subdivided into functional segments 56 by means of these cracks, whereby the particular segments are bounded by cracks. The cracks 54 are each in the form of a kind of predetermined breaking point and prevent the propagation of cracks 54 beyond a segment if, for example, cracks occur in the segment 56 due to the impact of a projectile.

The cracks could also run at an angle of 15° to 45° or be perpendicular to the thickness direction.

The armour plate 50 is joined in situ in multiple layers with the cracks 54 being in the form of internal defects, i.e. the armour plate 50 is formed in one-piece.

It is also possible, as is shown in Figure 7 with the aid of a further exemplary embodiment of an armour plate 58, for the cracks 60 to be formed as crack stoppers in a silicon carbide ceramic solid material 62 for example, whereby the solid material 62 is located between covering layers 64, 66 consisting of C/C-SiC. The covering layers 64, 66 are produced from covering layer preforms consisting of C/C for example, these being connected to the solid material preform for the siliconizing process. Due to the siliconizing process, defined cracks can thereby be formed between the covering layers 64, 66 in the siliconi carbide ceramic solid material 62 and in particular, during the cooling process.

The covering layers 64, 66 have a typical thickness of approximately 1 mm.

In accordance with the invention, armour plates are prepared which can be manufactured in a simple manner. For example, structural woods can be utilised for the manufacturing process. Before or after pyrolysis and prior to the ceramicization process, crack stoppers are produced in the armour plate preform and the armour plate is thereby subdivided into functional segments. Due to the functional segments, spatial delimitation of the damage zone can be achieved in the event of an impact, for example, the impact of a projectilei on the armour plate.

The armour plate itself is manufactured integrally with the crack stoppers; relatively large plates can thereby be manufactured and used. The plates can also be manufactured with curvatures so as to be better matched to the field , of application.

The crack stoppers can be produced in the armour plate preform in a simple manner prior to the ceramicization process, for example, by machining the material and/or laser working. The functional segments can thus be manufactured with defined dimensions. The particular spacings are, for example, selected in such a way that the so-called three-hit condition is fulfilled.

The armour plates in accordance with the invention can be integrated into an armour system as is schematically depicted in Figure 8 wherein it bears the general reference 68. Such an armour system is described in DE 697 07 560 T2 (EP 0 810 415 Bl). Reference is expressly made to this document. At least one ceramic armour plate in accordance with the invention 72 is seated on a structural supporting layer 70 (backing). The structural supporting layer 70 can be made of aluminium or from composite materials such as carbon Kevlar for example. 1 The (at least one) armour plate 72 is stuck to the structural supporting layer 70 by means of an adhesive layer 74 for example.

Provision may also be made for a shattering layer 76 upon which the structural .supporting layer 70 is arranged. The shattering layer 76 serves to minimize shattering of the structural supporting layer 70.

The armour plate 72 can be covered by a plurality of covering layers 78, 80, 82. The armour system 68 is bounded at the top by a steel plate 84. In regard to the construction thereof, reference is made to EP 0 810 415 Bl. The same construction as described therein can be used, whereby the at least one armour plate in accordance with the invention is utilised instead of a plurality of tiles.

Claims

1. A ceramic armour plate which is formed in one-piece and comprises a plurality of connected segments that are functionally separated by crack stoppers, wherein the crack stoppers serve to prevent the propagation of cracks from one segment to a neighbouring segment, wherein the crack stoppers are formed from cracks and the cracks serving as crack stoppers run between an upper surface and a lower surface of the armour plate, the ceramic armour plate further comprising covering layers between which the cracks extend, wherein the covering layers are made of a material which has a lower coefficient of thermal expansion than a material of which the ceramic armour plate consists between the covering layers.

2. A ceramic armour plate in accordance with Claim 1, characterized in that the crack stoppers are integrated into the armour plate.

3. A ceramic armour plate in accordance with Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the crack stoppers are formed in the solid material of the armour plate.

4. A ceramic armour plate in accordance with any one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the crack stoppers are produced when manufacturing the armour plate.

5. A ceramic armour plate in accordance with any one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that crack stoppers are formed by recesses and/or from recesses. 21513/06 179146/3 - 20 -

6. A ceramic armour plate in accordance with Claim 5, characterized in that the recesses are produced in the thickness direction of the armour plate.

7. A ceramic armour plate in accordance with Claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the recesses are produced at an angle of between 15° and 45° with respect to a thickness direction of the armour plate.

8. A ceramic armour plate in accordance with any one of the Claims 5 to 7, characterized in that non-through recesses are provided.

9. A ceramic armour plate in accordance with any one of the Claims 5 to 8, characterized in that the crack stoppers are formed by grooves and/or from grooves.

10. A ceramic armour plate in accordance with Claim 9, characterized in that the depth of the grooves lies in a range of between 0.05 to 0.9 of the thickness of the armour plate.

11. A ceramic armour plate in accordance with any one of the Claims 5 to 10, characterized in that through recesses are provided.

12. A ceramic armour plate in accordance with any one of the Claims 5 to 11, characterized in that crack stoppers are formed by perforations and/or from perforations.

13. A ceramic armour plate in accordance with any one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the cracks run at least approximately in the thickness direction of the armour plate. 21513/06 179146/3 - 21 -

14. A ceramic armour plate in accordance with any one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the covering layers are made of C/C-SiC.

15. A ceramic armour plate in accordance with any one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the crack stoppers are in the form of defects.

16. A ceramic armour plate in accordance with any one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the spacing between the crack stoppers lies in a range of between 5 mm and 100 mm.

17. A ceramic armour plate in accordance with any one of the preceding Claims, characterized by a multi-layer structure.

18. A ceramic armour plate in accordance with any one of the preceding Claims, characterized by production from a carbide ceramic material.

19. A ceramic armour plate in accordance with any one of the preceding Claims, characterized by production from a silicon carbide ceramic.

20. A ceramic armour plate in accordance with any one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the crack stoppers are formed prior to the ceramicization process.

21. A ceramic armour plate in accordance with any one of the preceding Claims, characterized by production by means of a carbon-containing preform.

22. A ceramic armour plate in accordance with any one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the ceramic material of the armour plate is manufactured by means of a biomorphic material. 21513/06 179146/3 - 22 -

23. A ceramic armour plate in accordance with Claim 22, characterized in that the biomorphic material contains cellulose.

24. An armour system, comprising at least one armour plate in accordance with any one of the preceding Claims.

25. An armour system in accordance with Claim 24, characterized by a multi-layer structure.

26. An armour system in accordance with Claim 24 or 25, characterized in that the at least one armour plate is arranged on a backing.

27. A method of manufacturing a ceramic armour plate wherein crack stoppers are produced in an armour plate preform and the armour plate is subdivided into connected functional segments by the crack stoppers, wherein the crack stoppers are produced in the form of cracks by the process of connection to covering layers, said cracks run between a lower surface of the plate and an upper surface of the plate, and wherein said covering layers are made of material having a lower coefficient of thermal expansion than a material of which the ceramic armour plate consists between the covering layers.

28. A method in accordance with Claim 27, characterized in that the crack stoppers are produced before the armour plate material is subjected to the ceramicization process.

29. A method in accordance with Claim 27 or 28, characterized in that crack stoppers are formed by the production of recesses. 21513/06 179146/3 - 23 -

30. A method in accordance with Claim 29, characterized in that recesses are produced by a mechanical material-working process.

31. A method in accordance with Claim 29 or 30, characterized in that recesses are produced by beam processing.

32. A method in accordance with any one of the Claims 27 to 31, characterized in that the recesses are filled with a parting agent.

33. A method in accordance with Claims 27 to 31, characterized in that the covering layers are made of C/C.

34. A method in accordance with any one of the Claims 27 to 33, characterized in that the armour plate preform is a carbon-containing preform.

35. A method in accordance with any one of the Claims 27 to 34, characterized in that there is provided a multi-layer structure, wherein the layers are connected for the purposes of forming a one-piece armour plate during the ceramicizing process. LUZZATTft* ψΖΖΑΤΤΟ