Mechanical and Ballistic Data for A12519 Plate, Forgings, and Weldments

The development and potential use of aluminum-armor alloys in the design and construction of combat vehicles has been repeatedly scrutinized as the military continually pushes toward lightweight, mobile, and more deployable forces. In doing so, it is necessary to fully characterize and understand the engineering material properties and the ballistic resistance of any prospective material. Aluminum 2519 (A12519) was developed nearly 20 years ago as a high- strength, heat-treatable alloy with excellent ballistic performance. This alloy was not utilized extensively beyond the experimental phase and as such has not been continually produced by the aluminum industry. Therefore, when the utilization of this alloy recently became expected, questions arose about the ability of the suppliers to reproduce the same product that had been developed in the past. As part of the ensuing analysis, the engineering properties and the chemical and ballistic resistance of the alloy required validation. Additionally, work needed to be performed to verify that the alloy and its various heat treatments were feasible for joining in the construction of armored vehicles. Several common heat treatments were characterized, in addition to the most common weld joints presently designed by Team Crusader.Army Research Lab Aberdeen Proving Ground is the author of 'Mechanical and Ballistic Data for A12519 Plate, Forgings, and Weldments', published 2001 under ISBN 9781423531210 and ISBN 1423531213.