Arslan, KemalGunes, Recep2025-01-062025-01-0620240263-82231879-108510.1016/j.compstruct.2024.1178972-s2.0-85182879620https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compstruct.2024.117897https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14669/2459This paper deals with a comprehensive experimental analysis of the penetration mechanics and failure mechanisms of SiC/AA6061 functionally graded plates under ballistic impact. The external, cross-sectional, and highspeed photographic damage and failure assessments of the plates were performed. The novelty of this study is to investigate the ballistic impact behavior of a ceramic/metal functionally graded plate with different compositional gradients in a wide range of impact velocities considering below and above the ballistic limit and to reveal a detailed analysis of the damage and failure mechanisms of the plate. This can provide fundamental insights into the design of ceramic/metal functionally graded armor materials. The results indicate that the metal-dense gradient plate shows localized ductile failures as ductile perforation and plugging, whereas the ceramic-dense gradient plate exhibits brittle failures as comminution and conoidal fracture. Tailoring a relatively continuous compositional gradient instead of an abrupt variation, namely the linear gradient, provides tensile stress wave attenuation and resistance to crack growth and fracture.eninfo:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccessFunctionally graded material (FGM)Ballistic impactPenetration mechanicsFailure mechanismsHigh-speed photographyArticleQ1331WOS:001167585800001N/A