Is Cheap Diamond Armor Effective Against AP Rounds? Debunking Myths and Reality
The potential harnessing of diamond as an armor material has long been a source of fascination in engineering and military technology. However, despite diamond’s exceptional hardness and toughness, recent research and practical considerations suggest that it may not be as ideal for this application as previously thought. This article explores the realities and myths surrounding the use of cheap diamond plates in armor, particularly their effectiveness against armor-piercing (AP) rounds.
The Myth of Diamond’s Universal Superiority
The notion that diamond is superior to all materials in terms of hardness and toughness is a common misconception. Even diamond, known to be the hardest naturally occurring material, also possesses brittleness and specific properties that make it less ideal for armor applications.
Diamond's Properties and Limitations
According to “Pantologia. A new cabinet cyclopdia [sic] by J.M. Good, O. Gregory, and N. Bosworth, assisted by other gentlemen of eminence: Volume 8,” diamond's fundamental crystalline structure is the octahedron. It is hard to an extreme degree, brittle, not very difficultly frangible, and has a specific gravity of 3.600. These properties, while impressive, have significant limitations when it comes to real-world applications, especially in armor design.
Brittle Material Issues
One of the primary issues with diamond is its brittleness. Although it is hard, its rigid structure can cause it to shatter upon impact, leading to potential weaknesses in the armor. This brittleness means that diamond could be less effective in armor applications where impact absorption and deformation are crucial.
The Future of Armor: Graphene vs. Diamond
In light of these limitations, it is interesting to consider that any future composite armors developed to incorporate a form of carbon might focus more on graphene rather than diamond. Graphene, a two-dimensional form of carbon, possesses unique properties that make it highly promising for advanced material science and engineering applications. Its ability to conduct electricity, its tensile strength, and its flexibility suggest that it might be a more suitable material for future armor designs.
The Appeal of Graphene
Graphene's exceptional properties, such as its unprecedented strength and flexibility, make it a much more versatile material for armor applications. Unlike diamond, graphene can potentially be designed to remain effective under various types of stress and impact. This adaptability and its potential for high-level resistance to deformation make it more aligned with the requirements of modern armor design.
Final Thoughts on Diamond vs. AP Rounds
Given the specific properties of diamond, it is unlikely that it would be highly effective against AP rounds. The brittleness and lack of deformability of diamond mean that it might crack or shatter upon impact, rendering it ineffective in situations where a material needs to absorb and distribute an explosive impact.
Conclusion
The future of armor design is likely to lean towards materials like graphene due to their comprehensive advantages over diamond. While diamond retains its unique hardness, its brittleness limits its practical utility in armored applications. Therefore, while the allure of diamond’s hardness is undeniable, a more durable and adaptable material like graphene is likely to emerge as the top choice for future armor development.