Material

Ballistic ceramics for armour and protection

Name: Ballistic Ceramics
Brand: Technical Ceramics Australia

Lightweight, extremely hard ceramic armour that defeats high-velocity threats where steel is too heavy. We supply boron carbide, silicon carbide, and aluminium oxide, reaction bonded or isostatically pressed, in tiles and shaped plates to suit your platform.

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Ballistic ceramic armour tiles in boron carbide, silicon carbide, and aluminium oxide

What are ballistic ceramics?

Ballistic ceramics are armour materials that shatter and erode an incoming projectile on impact, then spread the residual energy into a backing layer. The result is far more protection per kilogram than armour steel, which is why ceramics are used in body armour, vehicle armour, and aircraft.

The right material depends on the threat level and the weight budget. We work with boron carbide, silicon carbide, and aluminium oxide, and form them by reaction bonding or isostatic pressing to balance performance against cost.

Materials and forming methods

Boron Carbide (B4C)

The hardest and lightest option, for the highest threat levels and weight-critical platforms such as aircraft and dismounted soldiers.

Silicon Carbide (SiC)

An excellent balance of hardness, weight, and cost. The workhorse of modern ceramic armour.

Aluminium Oxide (Al2O3)

A proven, cost-effective armour ceramic for vehicle and structural protection where weight is less critical.

Reaction bonded

Net-shape forming that holds tight tolerances at lower cost, well suited to volume production of tiles and plates.

Isostatically pressed

Uniform pressure for high, even density and peak ballistic performance in the most demanding applications.

Where ballistic ceramics are used

Body armour

Hard armour plates for personal protection, where every gram counts.

Vehicle armour

Appliqué and structural armour for light and heavy vehicles.

Aircraft and aerospace

Weight-critical protection for rotary and fixed-wing platforms.

Critical infrastructure

Shielding for high-value fixed assets and protected positions.

Ballistic work is handled within the appropriate scope and confidentiality. Send your threat level, areal-density target, and tile geometry, and we will recommend the material and forming method that meet the spec.

Ballistic Ceramics: common questions

Which ceramic is best for ballistic armour?

It depends on the threat and the weight budget. Boron carbide is the hardest and lightest for the highest threats, silicon carbide gives the best all-round balance of performance and cost, and aluminium oxide is a proven, cost-effective option where weight is less critical.

What is the difference between reaction bonded and isostatically pressed?

Reaction bonding forms net shapes at lower cost with good tolerances. Isostatic pressing gives higher, more uniform density and peak ballistic performance. We match the method to your performance and budget targets.

Can you make custom tile shapes and sizes?

Yes. We produce tiles and shaped plates to your geometry. Send the dimensions and the threat level and we will scope it.

Need ballistic ceramics?

Send a drawing, a sample, or just a description of what is failing. We will reply within 2 business days with whether we can make it, how, and at what price.