A team of Polish and Ukrainian scientists is researching porous materials based on titanium alloys. The aim is to develop an even more effective multi-layered ballistic shield, which will be used in light combat vehicles, among other applications.

Shields against anti-tank missiles usually consist of a layer of very hard ceramic or metal-ceramic composite material. However, it needs to be underlaid with a hard substrate that stops shrapnel, absorbs the impact energy of the projectile, and distributes it over a larger surface area, according to Academic Forum.

‘We want to develop a multi-layered ballistic shield that would use a porous structure based on titanium alloy in addition to traditional materials such as ballistic ceramic or armoured steel. Such armour could be used in light combat vehicles’, explains Dr Eng. Jacek Janiszewski of the Faculty of Mechatronics, Armament and Aeronautics at the Military University of Technology.

Research on titanium-based porous materials, carried out jointly with scientists from the Institute of Metal Physics of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, may also be useful for other projects. Among other things, the scientists have plans to develop special foot protectors and a lightweight shield that would not only protect sappers from explosion, but also from enemy fire, thus increasing the safety of sapper work in combat conditions.

“We are working on two grant proposals that would help us develop solutions to help improve the safety of sapper work. Ukraine is currently the most mined country in the world. Once the war is over, the work on demining huge areas will take many years. That is why we are already undertaking research work as part of bilateral cooperation between scientific centres in the European Union and Ukraine”, says Dr Eng. Jacek Janiszewski.

Arkadiusz Słomczyński