Determination Of The Mechanical And Microstructural Properties Of An Armour Steel For High Impact Performance

ABSTRACT

The research evaluates the chemical, mechanical and microstructural characterization of an armour

steel sourced from a scraped armoured vehicle in order to develop local content in the armouring

technology. Chemical analysis, optical microscopy and mechanical tests were employed to

examine the microstructural and mechanical properties of a low carbon armour steel. Chemical

analysis showed the elemental constituents and the exact weight per percentage of each element

present in the test sample as per MIL-DTL-12560J standards. Microstructural analysis was carried

out on etched sample of the plate which exhibited the desired bainitic microstructure. Dispersed

within the bainitic microstructure were high carbon micro constituents consisting of iron carbides

and pearlite. Then hardness, tensile and impact strength of the plate were assessed following

standard procedures. The results showed that the specimen tested has a tensile strength of

1291MPa, a hardness value of 479BHN, 11 % elongation, and impact resistance of 27. lSJ. The

mechanical performance of the plate was in consonance with the minimum mechanical

requirements of MIL-DTL-12560J standards. This study, therefore established that the tested armour steel plate is effective for high impact performance.