Materials Engineering in the Context of Ballistic Resistance

Abstract. The escalating complexity of modern threats—from high-velocity armor-piercing projectiles to blast-induced fragments and improvised explosive devices (IEDs)—has driven continuous innovation in ballistic-resistant materials. Effective protection must balance high energy absorption capacity with minimal areal density to preserve operational mobility, particularly in dismounted personnel and lightweight vehicle applications. Central to this challenge is the systematic classification of armor materials based on composition, micro/macro-structure, and dominant energy dissipation mechanisms. This work is a proposal for this classification.