Armor apparatus and method

A transparent armor laminate comprising:

• a first layer comprising a first material having a first modulus of elasticity, the first material comprising cubic crystal structural spinel;
• a second layer comprising a second material having a second modulus of elasticity that is less than the first modulus of elasticity, the second material comprising a polycarbonate laminate;
• and
• a third layer disposed between the first and second layers, the third layer comprising a plurality of nanotubes, the plurality of nanotubes comprising a plurality of interlayer sheets of carbon multi-walled nanotubes;
• a wire-mesh layer disposed between the first and third layers, the wire-mesh layer comprising a plurality of wires arranged in a diamond-crossing pattern, each wire in the plurality of wires comprising at least one of:
• metal strengthened with carbon multi-walled nanotubes;
• aramid fiber strengthened with carbon multi-walled nanotubes;
• and
• high-modulus-polyethylene fiber strengthened with carbon multi-walled nanotubes;
• a light filter disposed between the third and second layers;
• and
• an abrasion-resistant protective coating applied to the second layer;
• wherein the nanotubes are adapted to resist any heat transfer through the third layer;
• wherein the laminate has an areal density not exceeding about 3 lb/ft2;
• wherein at least a portion of the laminate has a thickness ranging from about ⅕ in to about ½ in;
• wherein the laminate is adapted to prevent any spall produced in response to an impact on the laminate from passing either through the second layer, or through the third layer after passing through the second layer;
• and
• wherein the impact is equal to or greater than an impact caused by a 9-mm bullet traveling at 1425 ft/sec.

A method of producing a transparent armor laminate, comprising:

• providing a first layer comprising a first material having a first modulus of elasticity;
• providing a second layer comprising a second material having a second modulus of elasticity that is less than the first modulus of elasticity;
• and
• disposing a third layer between the first and second layers, the third layer comprising a plurality of nanotubes.

A method of producing a transparent armor laminate, comprising:

• providing a first layer comprising a first material having a first modulus of elasticity, the first material comprising cubic crystal structural spinel;
• providing a second layer comprising a second material having a second modulus of elasticity that is less than the first modulus of elasticity, the second material comprising a polycarbonate laminate;
• and
• disposing a third layer between the first and second layers, the third layer comprising a plurality of nanotubes, the plurality of nanotubes comprising a plurality of interlayer sheets of carbon multi-walled nanotubes;
• disposing a wire-mesh layer between the first and third layers, the wire-mesh layer comprising a plurality of wires arranged in a diamond-crossing pattern, each wire in the plurality of wires comprising at least one of:
• metal strengthened with carbon multi-walled nanotubes;
• aramid fiber strengthened with carbon multi-walled nanotubes;
• and
• high-modulus-polyethylene fiber strengthened with carbon multi-walled nanotubes;
• disposing a light filter between the third and second layers;
• and
• applying an abrasion-resistant protective coating to the second layer;
• wherein the carbon multi-walled nanotubes are adapted to resist any heat transfer through the third layer;
• wherein the laminate has an areal density not exceeding about 3 lb/ft2;
• wherein the at least a portion of the laminate has a thickness ranging from about ⅕ in to about ½ in;
• wherein the laminate is adapted to prevent any spall produced in response to an impact on the laminate from passing either through the second layer, or through the third layer after passing through the second layer;
• and
• wherein the impact is equal to or greater than an impact caused by a 9-mm bullet traveling at 1425 ft/sec.