Postgraduate Diploma in Advanced Composite and Ceramic Armour
Online Postgraduate Diploma of 800 h in Advanced Composite and Ceramic Armour. 8 modules covering STANAG 4569 (vehicle protection levels), AEP-55 (protection assessment procedures) and LS-DYNA. Assigned tutor and enrolment open.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this programme. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Understand the principles of protective materials.
Characterise the properties of technical ceramics according to ASTM standards.
Analyse the behaviour of composite materials under dynamic loads.
Design multilayer systems combining ceramics and composites.
Apply impact mechanics and its numerical simulation.
Interpret the protection levels of STANAG 4569 and NIJ 0101.06.
Evaluate the manufacturing and life cycle of armour solutions.
Who it's for
- Protective materials engineer wishing to specialise in Advanced Composite and Ceramic Armour.
- Impact simulation engineer wishing to specialise in Advanced Composite and Ceramic Armour.
- Characterisation laboratory technician wishing to specialise in Advanced Composite and Ceramic Armour.
- Composites manufacturing process engineer wishing to specialise in Advanced Composite and Ceramic Armour.
- Technical ceramics engineer wishing to specialise in Advanced Composite and Ceramic Armour.
- Product quality manager for protective products wishing to specialise in Advanced Composite and Ceramic Armour.
- Graduates in engineering or science seeking to enter the defence industry.
What you'll work with
- STANAG 4569 (vehicle protection levels)
- AEP-55 (protection assessment procedures)
- NIJ 0101.06 (ballistic resistance of personal body armour)
- EN 1522 (bullet-resistant windows and doors)
- ASTM C1327 (Vickers hardness of advanced ceramics)
- ASTM C1161 (flexural strength of advanced ceramics)
- ASTM D3039 (tensile properties of polymer matrix composites)
8 modules · 800 h
1.1Evolution of armour1.2Passive versus active protection1.3Areal density and mass efficiency1.4Threat classification by standards1.5STANAG 4569 and levels1.6Civilian standards: NIJ 0101.07 and VPAM1.7Weight–protection trade-off1.8Legal and ethical framework1.9Materials trends1.10Workshop: comparison of mass efficiency of materials
2.1Alumina, silicon carbide and boron carbide2.2Processing: sintering and hot pressing2.3Microstructure and properties2.4Hardness, toughness and modulus2.5Dynamic behaviour2.6Hugoniot elastic limit2.7Fracture and comminution2.8Quality control of plates2.9Costs and supply2.10Laboratory: Vickers hardness characterisation
3.1Aramid fibres3.2Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene3.3S2 glass fibre3.4Carbon fibre3.5Thermoset and thermoplastic matrices3.6Processing: press moulding and autoclave3.7Energy absorption mechanisms3.8Delamination and damage3.9Ageing and environmental effects3.10Practice: design of a backing laminate
4.1Composite armour concepts4.2Ceramic face and backing4.3Adhesives and interfaces4.4Ceramic confinement4.5Tiles and tile size4.6Multi-hit effect4.7Integration into structures4.8Added modular armour4.9Spall liners4.10Case study: analysis of a multilayer configuration
5.1Stress waves in solids5.2Equations of state5.3Material models: Johnson–Holmquist5.4Johnson–Cook models5.5Analytical penetration models5.6Simulation with LS-DYNA and AUTODYN5.7SPH and finite element methods5.8Numerical validation5.9Limitations of models5.10Laboratory: impact simulation with JH-2 model
6.1Standardised ballistic tests6.2V50 and statistics6.3Hopkinson bar6.4Plate impact tests6.5Diagnostics with high-speed camera6.6Non-destructive inspection of plates6.7Environmental testing of armour6.8Accredited laboratories6.9Safety in testing6.10Practice: statistical analysis of V50 results
7.1Industrial manufacturing of plates7.2Quality control and traceability7.3Repairability of armour7.4Composite recycling7.5Civilian applications: security vehicles7.6Personal protection7.7Infrastructure protection7.8Export control7.9Ethics and dual use7.10Case study: life cycle analysis of an armour
8.1Requirements definition8.2Material selection8.3Configuration design8.4Numerical modelling8.5Test plan8.6Mass and cost analysis8.7Platform integration8.8Life cycle analysis8.9Report and presentation8.10Final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
100 % online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and assigned technical tutor. No fixed timetables: the student progresses at their own pace within the intake, making it possible to combine with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is LS-DYNA, Ansys Autodyn, Abaqus/Explicit, MATLAB, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Studies are based on real mechanical characterisation procedures for ceramics and composites, impact tests in an accredited laboratory and numerical impact simulation. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final integrating project.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Understand the principles of protective materials.
Characterise the properties of technical ceramics according to ASTM standards.
Analyse the behaviour of composite materials under dynamic loads.
Design multilayer systems combining ceramics and composites.
Apply impact mechanics and its numerical simulation.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. No university degree is required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme’s software.
- Sufficient level of Spanish to follow technical standards documentation.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme is 800 hours in total, spread over 6 to 8 months. That is an average of 10 to 15 hours per week, compatible with a full-time job.
The programme works with LS-DYNA, Ansys Autodyn, Abaqus/Explicit and MATLAB. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
An own diploma from SEIUM upon passing continuous assessment and the final integrating project. It is in-house training, not an official Ministry qualification.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised towards the advanced programme. Check the recognition policy when enrolling.
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