层间混杂复合材料装甲板防弹性能及其防弹机制

为研究层间混杂复合材料装甲板的防弹性能及其防弹机制,采用钢芯弹侵彻层间混杂复合材料装甲板。以超高分子量聚乙烯（Ultra high molecular weight polyethylene,UHMWPE）纤维、对位芳香族聚酰胺纤维作增强纤维,水性聚氨酯（Waterborne Polyurethane,WPU）树脂和环氧树脂（Epoxy resin,EP）作基体,采用热压工艺制备单向（Unidirectional,UD）结构的层间混杂复合材料装甲板。研究混杂比例、防弹面和树脂基体对混杂复合材料装甲板防弹性能的影响以及弹击后混杂复合材料装甲板的破坏形貌,分析混杂复合材料装甲板的防弹机制,并对复合材料装甲板的破坏机制进行了分析。结果表明:混杂复合材料装甲板的防弹性能优于其任一单一纤维复合材料装甲板;WPU的防弹性能要优于环氧树脂;以UHMWPE纤维复合材料充当防弹面时,混杂复合材料装甲板具有更好的防弹性能;纤维拉伸变形和装甲板分层是纤维复合材料装甲板主要的吸能方式。      

The effect of hybridization on the ballistic impact behavior of hybrid composite armors

In the present study, effect of hybridization on the hybrid composite armors under ballistic impact is investigated using hydrocode simulations. The hybrid composite armor is constructed using various combinations and stacking sequences of fiber reinforced composites having woven form of fibers specifically high specific-modulus/high specific-strength Kevlar fiber (KF), tough, high strain-to-failure fiber Glass fiber (GF) and high strength/high stiffness Carbon fiber (CF). Different combinations of composite armors studied are KF layer in GF laminate, GF layer in KF laminate, KF layer in CF laminate and CF layer in KF laminate at various positions of hybridized layers for a fixed thickness of the target. In this article the results obtained from the finite element model are validated for the case of KF layer in a GF laminate with experimental predictions reported in the literature in terms of energy absorption and residual velocity and good agreement is observed. Further, the effect of stacking sequence, projectile geometry and target thickness on the ballistic limit velocity, energy absorbed by the target and the residual velocity are presented for different combinations of hybrid composite armors. The simulations show that, at a fixed thickness of the hybrid composite armor, stacking sequence of hybridized layer shows significant effect on the ballistic performance. The results also indicate energy absorption and ballistic limit velocity are sensitive to projectile geometry. Specifically, it is found that arranging the KF layer at the rear side, GF layer in the exterior and CF layer on the front side offers good ballistic impact resistance. The hybrid composite armor consisting of a CF layer in KF laminate acquires maximum impact resistance and is the best choice for the design compared to that of other combinations studied.     

Ballistic resistance of the carbon nanotube fibres reinforced composites – Numerical study

The numerical investigations were carried out to determine the ballistic resistance of the carbon nanotube (CNT) fibres reinforced composites. In this paper, the fundamental studies of the reinforcement characteristics are presented. It includes the single fibre mechanical and geometric properties as well as fibres distribution and volume (mass) concentration. The continuum matrix material includes a certain amount of fibres made of CNTs. An impact of the projectile with the sharp nose on the metal matrix composite plate was analysed. The computer simulations were performed with the finite element method implemented in LS-DYNA code. The plane formulation allows analysing extremely dense meshes. The obtained results presented the significant role of the carbon nanotube fibres.     

The ballistic performance of SiC–AA7075 functionally graded composite produced by powder metallurgy

The potential of silicon carbide reinforced Functionally Gradient Material (FGM) to be used as armor material was investigated under the impact of armor piercing projectile. For this purpose, the SiC–Aluminum Alloy (AA) 7075 functionally graded composite at different thicknesses was produced from the metallic and ceramic powders via powder metallurgy method. Before the ballistic testing, the precipitation hardening behavior of the samples was determined. And also, the microstructural characterizations of the samples were done with the aid of microscopy techniques. Next, the FGM samples were tested using armor piercing projectile to analyze their impact behavior. In the produced samples, some pore formation was detected. The ballistic experiments showed that the investigated FGMs (up to a thickness of 25 mm) did not withstand the impact of the projectile. At the tested samples, some major cracks and plug formation were detected at macrolevel while there were some microcracks, deformed and elongated grains in the regions near to the deformation zone of the samples.     

Micro-mechanics based derivation of the materials constitutive relations for carbon-nanotube reinforced poly-vinyl-ester-epoxy based composites

The atomic-level computational results of the mechanical properties of Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotube (MWCNT) reinforced poly-vinyl-ester-epoxy obtained in our recent work [Grujicic M, Sun Y-P, Koudela KL (2006) Appl Surf Sci (accepted for publication, March)], have been utilized in the present work within a continuum-based micro-mechanics formulation to determine the effective macroscopic mechanical properties of these materials. Since the MWCNT reinforcements and the polymer-matrix molecules are of comparable length scales, the reinforcement/matrix interactions which control the matrix-to-reinforcement load transfer in these materials are accounted for through direct atomic-level modeling of the “effective reinforcement” mechanical properties. The term an “effective reinforcement” is used to denote a MWCNT surrounded by a layer of the polymer matrix whose thickness is comparable to the MWCNT radius and whose conformation is changed as a result of its interactions with the MWCNT. The micro-mechanics procedure yielded the effective continuum mechanical properties for the MWCNT-reinforced poly-vinyl-ester-epoxy matrix composite mats with a random in-plane orientation of the MWCNTs as a function of the following composite microstructural parameters: the volume fraction of the MWCNTs, their aspect ratio, the extent of covalent functionalization of the MWCNT outer walls as well as a function of the mechanical properties of the matrix and the reinforcements.     

Behavior of E-glass composite laminates under ballistic impact

The use of light weight armor against ballistic threats is very important for increasing mobility and survivability. This paper describes ballistic performance of an E-glass/phenolic composite as a function of laminate thickness and projectile impact velocity using mild steel core projectile. The results show that there is a nonlinear relationship between the energy absorption and laminate thickness. The effect of thickness and velocity on energy absorption in the laminates has been explained in terms of interaction time between target and projectile. It is also observed that deformation of the projectile is more dependent on the target thickness than the strike velocity. Changes in failure mechanisms with change in target thickness are also described.     

Numerical simulation of ceramic composite armor subjected to ballistic impact

Armor systems made of ceramic and composite materials are widely used in ballistic applications to defeat armor piercing (AP) projectiles. Both the designers and users of body armor face interesting choices – how best to balance the competing requirements posed by weight, thickness and cost of the armor package for a particular threat level. A finite element model with a well developed material model is indispensible in understanding the various nuances of projectile–armor interaction and finding effective ways of developing lightweight solutions. In this research we use the explicit finite element analysis and explain how the models are built and the results verified. The Johnson–Holmquist material model in LS-DYNA is used to model the impact phenomenon in ceramic material. A user defined material model is developed to characterize the ductile backing made of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) material. An ad hoc design optimization is carried out to design a thin, light and cost-effective armor package. Laboratory testing of the prototype package shows that the finite element predictions of damage are excellent though the back face deformations are under predicted.     

Ballistic impact response of laminated hybrid materials made of 5086-H32 aluminum alloy,epoxy and Kevlar® fabrics impregnated with shear thickening fluid

The ballistic impact behavior of hybrid composite laminates synthesized for armor protection was investigated. The hybrid materials, which consist of layers of aluminum 5086-H32 alloy, Kevlar® 49 fibers impregnated with shear thickening fluid (STF) and epoxy resin were produced in different configurations using hand lay-up technique. The hybrid materials were impacted by projectiles (ammunitions of 150 g power-point) fired from a rifle Remington 7600 caliber 270 Winchester to strike the target at an average impact velocity and impact energy of 871 m/s and 3687 J, respectively. The roles of the various components of the hybrid materials in resisting projectile penetration were evaluated in order to determine their effects on the overall ballistic performance of the hybrid laminates. The effects of hybrid material configuration on energy dissipation during ballistic impacts were investigated in order to determine a configuration with high performance for application as protective armor. The energy dissipation capability of the hybrid composite targets was compared with the initial impact energy of low caliber weapons (according to NATO standards) in order to determinate the protection level achieved by the developed hybrid laminates. Deformation analysis and penetration behavior of the targets were studied in different stages; the initial (on target front faces), intermediate (cross-section), and final stages (target rear layers). The influence of target thickness on the ballistic impact response of the laminates were analyzed. Differences in ballistic behavior were observed for samples containing Kevlar® impregnated with STF and those containing no STF. Finally, mechanisms of failure were investigated using scanning electron microscopic examination of the perforations.     

纤维复合材料的弹道吸能研究

本文通过大量的实弹试验考察与分析了芳纶、超高分子量聚乙烯纤维、玻璃纤维、碳纤维复合材料弹道吸能随面密度、弹速、成型压力、树脂基体含量等改变而变化的规律, 揭示出不同纤维复合材料在不同条件下的防弹能力。研究结果对防弹复合材料及其轻质复合装甲的优化设计具有较重要的参考意义。      

纤维增强树脂基复合材料防弹性能影响因素及破坏机制

以超高分子量聚乙烯(Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene,UHMWPE)纤维、S-玻璃纤维、芳纶1414纤维和杂环芳纶纤维增强聚烯烃(Polyolefin,PO)和水性聚氨酯(Waterborne Polyurethane,WPU)树脂,采用热压工艺制备正交单向无纬(UD)结构复合材料装甲板;通过装甲板弹道极限速度测试,研究了纤维增强树脂基复合材料装甲板防弹性能的影响因素;通过体视显微镜观察装甲板侵彻破坏形貌,分析了纤维增强树脂基复合材料的破坏机制。结果表明:UHMWPE纤维增强PO树脂基复合材料的防弹性能与UHMWPE纤维的强度和模量呈正相关,但纤维模量对复合材料防弹性能的影响随着纤维模量的增大而逐渐变弱;在WPU树脂体系下,四种纤维的防弹性能由高到低依次是UHMWPE纤维、杂环芳纶纤维、芳纶1414纤维、S-玻璃纤维;纤维增强树脂基复合材料装甲板中纤维破坏方式有迎弹面纤维被剪切冲塞、中部被纤维拉伸变形后剪切、背弹面纤维被拉伸断裂,中部纤维拉伸变形是消耗子弹动能的主要方式。     

Processing,structure and flexural strength of CNT and carbon fibre reinforced,epoxy-matrix hybrid composite

Advanced materials such as continuous fibre-reinforced polymer matrix composites offer significant enhancements in variety of properties, as compared to their bulk, monolithic counterparts. These properties include primarily the tensile stress, flexural stress and fracture parameters. However, till date, there are hardly any scientific studies reported on carbon fibre (C_f) and carbon nanotube (CNT) reinforced hybrid epoxy matrix composites (unidirectional). The present work is an attempt to bring out the flexural strength properties along with a detailed investigation in the synthesis of reinforced hybrid composite. In this present study, the importance of alignment of fibre is comprehensively evaluated and reported. The results obtained are discussed in terms of material characteristics, microstructure and mode of failure under flexural (3-point bend) loading. The study reveals the material exhibiting exceptionally high strength values and declaring itself as a material with high strength to weight ratio when compared to other competing polymer matrix composites (PMCs); as a novel structural material for aeronautical and aerospace applications.     

Ballistic Penetration of Dyneema Fiber Laminate

UHMWPE fiber (Dyneema) reinforced composites are an important class of materials for armors.These materials provide superior ballistic performance to the armor, such as the military armor systems requiring a reduction in back-armor effects or a substrate for hardened facings of steet or ceramic. The reported work characterized the ballistic impact and mechanical performance of Dyneema fiber in composite laminates. The capability of the laminate to absorb ballistic impact energy was influenced by the impact velocity and the laminate areal density. Two kinds of penetration were compared and a two-step model for the penetration was proposed.     

Ballistic protection performance of curved armor systems with or without debondings/delaminations

In order to discern how pre-existing defects such as single or multiple debondings/delaminations in a curved armor system may affect its ballistic protection performance, two-dimensional axial finite element models were generated using the commercial software ANSYS/Autodyn. The armor systems considered in this investigation are composed of boron carbide front component and Kevlar/epoxy backing component. They are assumed to be perfectly bonded at the interface without defects. The parametric study shows that for the cases considered, the maximum back face deformation of a curved armor system with or without defects is more sensitive to its curvature, material properties of the ceramic front component, and pre-existing defect size and location than the ballistic limit velocity. Additionally, both the ballistic limit velocity and maximum back face deformation are significantly affected by the backing component thickness, front/backing component thickness ratio and the number of delaminations.     

The influence of projectile hardness on ballistic performance

The ballistic performance of 17 penetrator materials, representing 5 distinct steel alloys treated to various hardnesses along with one tungsten alloy, has been investigated. Residual lengths and velocities, as well as the ballistic limit velocities, were determined experimentally for each of the alloy types for length-to-diameter (L/D) ratio 10 projectiles against finite-thick armor steel targets. The target thickness normalized by the projectile diameter (T/D) was 3.55. For some of the projectile types, a harder target, with the same thickness, was also used. It was found that the ballistic limit velocity decreases significantly when the projectile hardness exceeds that of the target. Numerical simulations are used to investigate some of the observed trends. It is shown that the residual projectile length is sensitive to projectile hardness; the numerical simulations reproduce this experimental observation. However, the observed trend in residual velocity as a function of projectile hardness is not reproduced in the numerical simulations unless a material model is invoked. It is assumed that the plastic work per unit volume is approximately a constant, that is, there is a trade off between strength and ductility. Using this model, the numerical simulations reproduce the experimentally observed trend.     

Effect of matrix on ballistic performance of soft body armor

We analyze three-dimensional (3-D) deformations of soft body armor in the form of a clamped rectangular plate impacted at normal incidence by a projectile. Results have been computed by the finite element method, using the commercial software LSDYNA, for the armor with and without a matrix, and in the former case with either perfect or no bonding between the matrix and the yarn. Also, two impact speeds and two polymers, one stiffer than the other, have been considered. Significant contributions of the work include studying 3-D elastoplastic deformations, and delineating the effect of the matrix on the ballistic performance of the armor. It is found that the matrix reduces the maximum deflection of the armor, increases the size of the deformed area, and enhances the reduction in the kinetic energy of the projectile. However, the size of the deformed area is not a good indicator of the energy absorbed during impact. These results are useful for armor designers since the reduction in the maximum deflection should reduce the intensity of injuries to persons wearing the armor. On the other hand the larger deformed area of the armor can increase the possibility of injuries.     

纤维增强复合材料三明治板破片穿甲数值仿真

研究破片对（由钢板、纤维增强复合材料板及钢板叠合而成）纤维增强复合材料三明治板穿甲过程中能量转化规律。进行破片模拟弹丸(FSP)对不同结构三明治板高速穿甲数值仿真,获得FSP破片对16种三明治板的弹道极限,并与实验结果对比验证数值仿真的可信度。通过分析数值仿真结果,进一步研究破片临界贯穿条件下纤维增强复合材料三明治板各组成部分吸能比率与结构尺寸相关性。结果表明,不同厚度夹层板的吸能比率恒定(芳纶纤维10.41%,玻璃纤维2.68%),夹层板内能随厚度的增加呈二次函数增加。由此获得破片对纤维增强复合材料三明治板弹道极限速度计算方法。     

玻璃纤维-不锈钢网混杂增强环氧树脂层合板对球形弹斜冲击响应特性实验研究

为了研究玻璃纤维-不锈钢网混杂增强环氧树脂层合板在球形弹高速斜冲击下的损伤特性,利用一级气炮对2 mm厚度的玻璃纤维增强环氧树脂复合材料层合板和含一层、三层304不锈钢网的玻璃纤维-不锈钢网混杂增强环氧树脂层合板进行倾角为30°的冲击实验,以揭示304不锈钢网对层合板弹道极限和能量吸收的影响规律,并分析层合板损伤特征及其机理。通过实验发现,含有三层不锈钢网层合板的弹道极限最高,而不含不锈钢网层合板和含一层不锈钢网层合板的弹道极限速度接近。层合板吸收的能量随着弹体速度增加呈现出先增加后趋于平稳,然后急剧上升的趋势。层合板损伤模式为基体开裂和破碎、分层、不锈钢丝拉伸断裂、纤维拉伸断裂和剪切断裂。层合板分层损伤面积随弹体速度增大先增大后减小,最后趋于稳定。当弹体速度较低时,层合板主要发生纤维拉伸断裂、基体开裂、层间有分层损伤产生。随着弹体速度的增大,层合板正面纤维逐渐发生压剪断裂、基体破碎,背面纤维发生严重的拉伸撕裂。      

Bio-inspired armor protective material systems for ballistic shock mitigation

Severe transient ballistic shocks from projectile impacts, mine blasts, or overhead artillery attacks can incapacitate an occupant at low frequencies, or sensitive equipment at high frequencies, if they are not properly attenuated by armor protective systems. Unique challenges exist in developing armor protective systems for mitigating both low and high frequency ballistic shocks due to the lack of robust design methodology, the severe dynamic loading conditions, and the uncertainties in predicting ballistic shock responses.Nature offers engineers a blueprint of highly effective, efficient, and adaptive material designs to protect certain regions from external threats. This paper presents the modeling, analysis, design, optimization, fabrication, and experimental validation of bone-inspired armor protective material systems for reducing projectile penetrations and alleviating ballistic shocks at both low and high frequencies. The optimized bone-inspired armor protective material system has a soft–stiff–soft–stiff material distribution pattern based on bone-foramen and osteonal-bone material systems. Analysis and experimental results demonstrated that the bone-inspired armor protective material systems have excellent capabilities for drastic ballistic shock mitigation, weight savings, and significant reductions in penetration and load transmission under ballistic loading conditions.     

The ballistic impact characteristics of Kevlar® woven fabrics impregnated with a colloidal shear thickening fluid

This study reports the ballistic penetration performance of a composite material composed of woven Kevlar® fabric impregnated with a colloidal shear thickening fluid (silica particles (450 nm) dispersed in ethylene glycol). The impregnated Kevlar fabric yields a flexible, yet penetration resistant composite material. Fragment simulation projectile (FSP) ballistic penetration measurements at 244 m/s have been performed to demonstrate the efficacy of the novel composite material. The results demonstrate a significant enhancement in ballistic penetration resistance due to the addition of shear thickening fluid to the fabric, without any loss in material flexibility. Furthermore, under these ballistic test conditions, the impregnated fabric targets perform equivalently to neat fabric targets of equal areal density, while offering significantly less thickness and more material flexibility. The enhancement in ballistic performance is shown to be associated with the shear thickening response, and possible mechanisms of fabric-fluid interaction during ballistic impact are identified.     

装甲防护材料抗侵彻性能研究现状

目的分析装甲防护材料抗侵彻性能的研究现状,为改进复合装甲的结构设计提供参考。方法对装甲防护材料的抗侵彻研究现状进行论述,并对其应用情况进行分析。结果分别阐述了金属材料(装甲钢、铝合金和钛合金)、陶瓷复合靶板以及纤维增强复合材料(玻璃纤维、芳纶纤维和超高分子量聚乙烯纤维)的抗侵彻研究现状,并介绍了其应用情况。结论随着战场环境的日益更新和武器装备的飞速发展,单一的装甲防护材料已难以适应战场环境的不断变化,装甲防护材料将朝着强韧化、轻量化、智能化及多功能化发展。