A comparative study on low-velocity impact response of fabric composite laminates

Impact behaviors at low velocity of composite laminates reinforced with fabrics of different architectures are investigated. Unidirectional prepreg, 2D woven and 3D orthogonal fabrics, all formed of Ultrahigh Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) filaments, were selected as reinforcements to form composite laminates using hot pressing technology. Low velocity impact tests were conducted using a drop-weight impact equipment at the energy level of 35 J. A three-coordinate measuring device was employed to determine the volume of plastic deformation and surface dent diameter. The results show that the composite laminates of single-ply 3D orthogonal woven fabric exhibit better energy absorbed capacity and impact damage resistance as compared to those of unidirectional and 2D plain-woven fabric.     

超高分子量聚乙烯纤维/水性聚氨酯复合材料层压板抗软钢芯弹侵彻性能及其损伤机制

选用碳纳米粒子(CNPs)原位改性和未改性的超高分子量聚乙烯(UHMWPE)纤维作为增强纤维,水性聚氨酯(WPU)作为树脂基体,采用缠绕-复合-热压工艺制备单向(UD)正交结构的UHMWPE纤维/WPU复合材料层压板。基于X射线计算机断层扫描(CT)技术,研究UHMWPE纤维/WPU复合材料层压板在7.62 mm×39 mm软钢芯弹以弹速为(720±10) m/s侵彻下的弹道响应。结果表明,UHMWPE纤维的CNPs原位改性提高了CNPs-UHMWPE纤维/WPU复合材料层压板抗单发侵彻性能,但会降低其抗多发打击的能力。对于未被穿透的层压板,其被侵彻过程可分为三个阶段,依次为剪切冲塞、断裂破坏和剩余子层的塑性变形,且每个阶段的厚度比依次为11.51%、44.40%和44.09%;层压板的分层响应主要发生在第二阶段,并集中在弹着点附近;每发弹丸侵彻导致层压板的破坏区域包含在以弹着点为圆心、直径约为70 mm的圆内。      

Performance of stitched/unstitched woven carbon/epoxy composites under high velocity impact loading

In this paper, response of stitched/unstitched woven fabric carbon/epoxy composite laminates subjected to high velocity impact loading is discussed. Aerospace grade plain and satin weave carbon fabrics were used to manufacture the laminate using a toughened SC-15 epoxy resin system with an affordable vacuum assisted resin infusion molding process. For fabrication of stitched laminates, a 3-cord Kevlar thread was used to stitch the fabric preform in lock stitch fashion in an orthogonal grid of size 12.7 and 25.4 mm with 6 mm stitch spacing. Unstitched laminates used in the study were made of 7, 17 and 37 layers whereas the stitched laminates were made of 7 and 17 layers. Four laminates of each type were subjected to high velocity impact loading at different velocity to determine the ballistic limit. The ensuing damage was characterized through ultrasonic NDE. Results of the study indicate that the damage was well contained within the stitch grid incase of stitched laminates. However, ballistic limit was higher for the unstitched laminates. Ballistic limit increased with the increase in the thickness of the laminate. Further, satin weave laminates exhibited higher ballistic limits in most of the cases.     

弹道防护用超高分子量聚乙烯纤维增强热塑性树脂基复合材料的拉伸力学行为

以弹道防护用超高分子量聚乙烯(Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene,UHMWPE)纤维增强热塑性树脂基复合材料作为研究对象,通过热压工艺制备单向正交结构的复合材料层压板。基于自主设计的拉伸试验装置,开展UHMWPE纤维增强热塑性树脂基复合材料在宏观尺度和准细观尺度上的面内拉伸试验,研究其面内拉伸力学性能及失效模式。研究结果显示：弹道防护用UHMWPE纤维增强热塑性树脂基复合材料在准细观尺度上的面内拉伸力学性能是其本征性能;随着偏轴角度的增加,拉伸断裂强度呈现指数型下降,这是由于失效模式由纤维的拉伸断裂破坏转变为纤维-树脂基体的界面破坏;此外,其在宏观尺度上的拉伸破坏强度比在准细观尺度上的拉伸断裂强度降低了50.52%,这是由于宏观尺度上的面内拉伸力学响应是其面内拉伸变形和层间分层破坏的耦合结果,即层压板的叠层效应。     

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.     

UD75防弹板工艺参数与弹道性能的初步研究

分析了不同温度对组成Dyneema纤维增强复合材料的超高分子量聚乙烯纤维丝束拉伸强度的影响。并对UD75防弹复合材料在不同成型压力下的弹道吸能进行了研究。在对成型压力影响的研究中,对UD75复合材料的层间结合力、厚度和体密度进行了分析。结果表明,温度超过123 ℃后拉伸强度有大幅的下降,而成型压力为12.5 MPa时达到最大值。其研究结果对防弹复合材料的合理制备和优化设计提供了很好的参考依据。      

VARI工艺成型纤维增强树脂复合材料层合板厚度和纤维体积分数的影响因素

分析了影响真空辅助成型技术（VARI）工艺成型复合材料的纤维体积分数和厚度均匀性的关键因素,即VARI成型工艺的树脂流动控制形式、纤维预制体状态、织物状态、树脂黏度,通过试验分析了各因素对VARI成型复合材料厚度和纤维体积分数的影响。试验结果表明,采用HFVI（high fiber-volume vacuum infusion）工艺、BA9914树脂及真空处理后的U3160单向机织物成型的纤维增强树脂复合材料层合板,其纤维体积分数和厚度均匀性能够接近预浸料/热压罐成型的复合材料制件的水平。     

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 and experimental investigations into ballistic performance of hybrid fabric panels

Strong, low density fibres have been favoured materials for ballistic protection, but the choice of fibres is limited for making body armour that is both protective and lightweight. In addition to developments of improved fibres, alternative approaches are required for creating more protective and lighter body armour. This paper reports on a study on hybrid fabric panels for ballistic protection. The Finite Element (FE) method was used to predict the response of different layers of fabric in a twelve-layer fabric model upon impact. It was found that the front layers of fabric are more likely to be broken in shear, and the rear layers of fabric tend to fail in tension. This suggested that using shear resistant materials for the front layer and tensile resistant materials for the rear layer may improve the ballistic performance of fabric panels. Two types of structure, ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) woven and unidirectional (UD) materials, were analyzed for their failure mode and response upon ballistic impact by using both FE and experimental methods. It was found that woven structures exhibit better shear resistance and UD structures gives better tensile resistance and wider transverse deflection upon ballistic impact. Two types of hybrid ballistic panels were designed from the fabrics. The experimental results showed that placing woven fabrics close to the impact face and UD material as the rear layers led to better ballistic performance than the panel constructed in the reverse sequence. It has also been found that the optimum ratio of woven to UD materials in the hybrid ballistic panel was 1:3. The improvement in ballistic protection of the hybrid fabric panels allows less material to be used, leading to lighter weight body armour.     

铺层混杂对复合材料层压板侵彻性能的影响

本文利用MTS和冲击侵彻测试装置，研究了由芳香族聚酰胺纤维、高强聚乙烯醇纤维制成的织物通过不同铺层方式与酚醛/PVB树脂复合的层压板的准静态和冲击侵彻性能。结果表明，芳香族聚酰胺织物层的加入能显著提高高强维纶织物树脂复合材料层压板的准静态侵彻刚度。随着芳纶混杂体积分数的提高，铺层混杂复合材料层压板的准静态侵彻阻力、穿孔能量（或单位面密度穿孔能量）将随之增加。从防护装具性能/重量比和性能/价格比的角度考虑，在芳香族聚酰胺与高强聚乙烯醇织物铺层混杂复合材料层压板中，高强聚乙烯醇纤维混杂体积分数可以确定为20%左右。     

Effect of reinforcement type on high velocity impact response of GRP plates using a sharp tip projectile

High velocity impact performance of glass reinforced polyester (GRP) resin composite plates with different type of reinforcement was investigated. The projectile used was a sharp tipped (30°) conical head with total length of 30 mm and shank length of 15 mm with weight of 9.74 g. Five different types of E-glass fiber reinforcement were used, including chopped strand mat (CSM), plain weave, satin weave, unidirectional and cross-ply unidirectional fiber reinforcements. A smooth barrel gas gun was used to conduct high velocity impact tests in the velocity range of 80–160 m/s. Composite plates with size of 15 cm × 15 cm were prepared in 3 and 6 mm thickness. Results showed higher ballistic limit velocity (velocity at which samples fully penetrated the target plates with zero residual velocity) for 3 mm GRP plates with cross-ply unidirectional reinforcement followed by unidirectional reinforcement and plain weave, the plates with satin weave and CSM reinforcements were almost in same level. The thicker specimens (6 mm), plates with plain weave reinforcement showed better ballistic performance towards sharp tipped conical projectile impact, followed by cross-ply unidirectional, satin weave, unidirectional and CSM reinforced plates. Experimentally determined ballistic limit velocity for all specimens correlate well with estimated ballistic limit values obtained in full perforation tests. Damage assessment conducted on all specimens indicated fiber tension and shear failure for thin-walled and sever delamination for the thick-walled specimens as the dominant failure modes.     

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。      

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.     

UHMWPE球面层合板弹道侵彻性能研究

进行了超高分子量聚乙烯(UHMWPE)平面层合板、平面夹芯结构以及球面夹芯结构的弹道侵彻实验研究,发现凸球面结构的抗侵彻能力低于平面结构,根据实验现象对球面结构初始曲率的不利影响作了初步分析.应用DYTRAN软件对不同曲率的UHMWPE层合板弹道侵彻进行了数值仿真,分析了层合板曲率对弹道性能的影响规律,认为曲率对层合板变形的限制作用以及由此导致的应力集中是造成抗侵彻能力下降的主要原因.     

On the design,manufacture and testing of trajectorial fibre steering for carbon fibre composite laminates

Trajectorial fibre steering of composite tows within composite laminates has been investigated as a means of producing composite structures with increased strength. Strategies to design the fibre trajectories in laminates have included aligning the fibres with principal stress vectors and a newly developed concept of load paths. In the laminate, the steered plies were inter-mingled with unidirectional or fabric plies. A manufacturing technique for the steered plies has been proposed. Applications include a specimen containing an open hole and a specimen with a pin-loaded hole. Specific strength increases of 62 and 85%, respectively, were achieved.     

A progressive failure model for mesh-size-independent FE analysis of composite laminates subject to low-velocity impact damage

An original, ply-level, computationally efficient, three-dimensional (3D) composite damage model is presented in this paper, which is applicable to predicting the low velocity impact response of unidirectional (UD) PMC laminates. The proposed model is implemented into the Finite Element (FE) code ABAQUS/Explicit for one-integration point solid elements and validated against low velocity impact experimental results.     

不同形状弹体高速冲击下复合材料层板损伤分析

根据纤维增强复合材料宏细观结构,基于纤维的线弹性假设和基体的粘弹性假设,推导了单向复合材料粘弹性损伤本构关系。在此基础上,结合Hashin失效准则进行单层板面内损伤识别,通过界面单元模拟层间分层损伤,采用非线性有限元方法,建立了复合材料层板高速冲击损伤有限元分析模型。利用该模型,深入研究了不同形状弹体高速冲击下复合材料层板的弹道性能和损伤特性,探讨了相关参数对冲击损伤的影响规律,获得了一些有价值的结论。     

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。     

Preparation and mechanical properties of carbon nanotube grafted glass fabric/epoxy multi-scale composites

In the present paper, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were chemically grafted onto surfaces of the amino silane treated glass fabric by a novel chemical route for the first time to create 3D network on the glass fibers. The chemical bonding process was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The glass fabric/CNT/epoxy multi-scale composite laminates were fabricated with the CNT grafted fabrics using vacuum assisted resin infusion molding. Tensile tests were conducted on fabricated multi-scale composites, indicating the grafting CNTs on glass fabric resulted a decrease (11%) in ultimate tensile strength while toughness of the multi-scale composite laminates were increased up to 57%. Flexural tests revealed that the multi-scale composite laminates prepared with CNT grafted glass fabric represent recovering after first load fall. The interfacial reinforcing mechanisms were discussed based on fracture morphologies of the multi-scale composites.     

Effect of the free edge finishing on the tensile strength of carbon/epoxy laminates

High productivity can be achieved in the fabrication of composite laminates if molded edges are used. In this work, the fabrication process of laminates with this type of edge finishing is described. The stacking sequence effect for laminates with molded edges is experimentally studied and compared to that of laminates with machined edges. The tensile strengths of five different laminates fabricated with carbon/epoxy unidirectional tape and woven fabrics were measured. It is shown that the strength of laminates with molded edges is about 10% lower than that of laminates with machined edges but less sensitive to stacking sequence. The presence of small pockets of pure resin near the free edge of laminates with molded edges causes a reduction in the tensile strength. The stacking sequence effect may be very pronounced for laminates with woven fabric layers and machined edges.