The Paton Welding Journal, 2025, №12

2025 №12 (01)

DOI of Article 10.37434/tpwj2025.12.02

2025 №12 (03)

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The Paton Welding Journal, 2025, #12, 11-19 pages

Approaches to enhancing the ballistic performance of welded joints in high and ultra-high hardness armor steels (Review)

O.A. Slyvinskyy, M.M. Kovtoniuk

National Technical University of Ukraine “Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute” 37 Prosp. Beresteiskyi, 03056, Kyiv, Ukraine. E-mail: o.slyvinsky@gmail.com

Abstract
The paper is devoted to the analysis of modern approaches to improving the bullet resistance of welded joints of high and ultra-high hardness armor steels. Based on the analysis of actual chemical composition of foreign-produced armor steel heats, the average content of key alloying elements influencing the structural and phase transformations under welding thermal cycles has been determined. In order to reduce the level of structural and mechanical heterogeneity of the metal of the welding heat-affected zone (HAZ) during the manufacture of welded assembly units of armored vehicle hulls from foreign-made steels, the content of Ni, Cr, Mo, B, as well as Si and V (in the case of alloying steel with them) should be the object of in-coming quality control, for which the minimum lower limit of the content of alloying elements in them should be determined through additional research. The current state of welding-metallurgical approaches for improving the ballistic resistance of armor steels is examined. These methods involve differentiating the mechanical properties of welds through the combination of welding, hardfacing, and auxiliary materials, or through the regulation of their structural and phase composition using advanced filler metals and combined or hybrid welding technologies. Literature data on the compositions of primary welding materials used for deposition of ballistic-resistant layers by hardfacing are provided. Particular attention is given to the potential of plasma powder hardfacing (PPH) for local reinforcement of weld metal and HAZ, ensuring controlled heat input and minimal mixing between base and filler metals. The advantages and limitations of PPH are summarized, and key directions for further research are outlined to facilitate the successful implementation of this technique for enhancing the ballistic performance of welds of high and ultra-high hardness armor steels.
Keywords: welded joints, high and ultra-high hardness armor steels, bullet resistance, hardfacing, plasma-powder hardfacing

Received: 25.07.2025
Received in revised form: 16.10.2025
Accepted: 24.12.2025

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Suggested Citation

O.A. Slyvinskyy, M.M. Kovtoniuk (2025) Approaches to enhancing the ballistic performance of welded joints in high and ultra-high hardness armor steels (Review). The Paton Welding J., 12, 11-19.

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