Ballistic impact experiments up to 1800 m/s were conducted on 6 different confined silicon carbides using tungsten carbide spheres. Partial results of normalised areal density penetrated versus impact velocity response curves are used to suggest comparative ballistic performance potential as a possible material screening technique and to provide validation data for numerical simulations. Complex response curve features are illustrated using an analytic model that captures critical data features. Data suggest an onset velocity above which the damage is no longer contained, but is inertially confined by the surrounding ceramic. Further increases in velocity increase penetration depths, while the impactor remains elastic until a critical value is reached where the impactor deforms inelastically (or shatters).
