Hypervelocity impact of TiB2-based composites as front bumpers for space shield applications

• A novel Whipple-type shield configuration with a front bumper of TiB2-based composite is designed in this paper.
• The composite bumper exhibits better protection efficiency than the aluminum bumper by the hypervelocity impact tests.
• The relationship between the debris cloud formation and the damage mechanism of the composite bumper is discussed.
• The well-fractured projectile and widespread debris are the main reasons for better performance of the composite bumper.
• The potential application of the TiB2-based composite for micrometeoroid and orbital debris shielding is discussed.

Based on the typical Whipple-type shield, a novel shield configuration with a front bumper of TiB2-based composite is designed in this paper, and the hypervelocity impact tests are conducted to compare the protection performance of this new composite bumper with that