Perforation mechanics of UHMWPE soft ballistic sub-laminate and soft ballistic armor pack: A finite element study

Soft-ballistic sub-laminate (SBSL) made from ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fibers in [0/90] stacking sequence are the building block of a multi-layer soft-ballistic armor pack (SBAP, aka Soft Armor). A systematic study of the perforation dynamics of a single layer SBSL and several multi-layer SBAPs (2, 3, 4, 8, 16, 24, 32 layers) is presented for the first time in the literature. A previously validated finite element model of transverse impact on a single layer is used to study the perforation mechanics of multi-layer SBAPs with friction between individual layers. Following the classical definition of ballistic limit velocity, a minimum perforation velocity has been determined for free-standing single layer SBSL and multi-layer SBAPs. For the multi-layer SBAPs, complete perforations have been identified as progressive perforation of individual layers through the thickness. The minimum perforation velocities of multi-layer SBAPS is linear with the areal density for the eight (8) layer target and thicker. Large deformation behavior and perforation mechanics of the SBAPs is discussed in detail.

Computational Approches for Ballistic Impact Response of Stainless Steel 304

The present study introduces a numerical procedure to estimate the impact resistance of stainless steel 304 (SS 304) commonly used in producing security screens through calculation of the effective ballistic limit velocity (V50). Non-linear finite element (FE) analysis using ABAQUS FE software was performed to simulate the material response with wide variety of thicknesses under various impact scenarios. Three different techniques were employed to determine V50, including: simulation of SS 304 using material parameters obtained from coupons testings and impact residual velocity and energy based on FE analysis. The material plasticity and damage initiation and evolution under dynamic loading conditions were simulated using Johnson-Cook model, while Lambert-Jonas model was utilized in predicting the residual impact velocity and energy using robust data regression system. Very good correlation within the investigated methodologies was observed along with obvious proportional between V50and coupons’ thickness. The significance of the outcome of this investigation is the developing of feasible and economical approach to evaluate the impact resistance of SS 304 which will significantly contribute to the development of superior security screens.

EXPERIMENTAL STUDY ON PERFORATION OF BRITTLE LAYERED OBSTACLES

An experimental study of the process of perforation of plates made of brittle materials by rigid strikers has been carried out. The strikers were accelerated to the required speed with a pneumatic gun. Both homogeneous plates and obstacles from several plates glued together, put together without gluing, or spaced relative to each other were considered as targets. The results of experiments on the perforation of plexiglass plates by rigid spherical bodies at impact velocities of 100–200 m/s are presented. Qualitative features of the fracture at different velocities of impact are revealed. For the samples considered, it was found that spaced plates reduce the velocity of the striker during penetration more effectively than the same plates putted together. A set of experiments were also carried out on perforation of two combined plates made of various brittle materials: plexiglass, ceramics, artificial stone (polyacryl, quartz) by a rigid spherical striker for a velocity range of 200–350 m/s. For each considered combination of plates, a ballistic limit (ballistic limit velocity, BLV, at which the striker penetrates the obstacle with zero exit speed) was experimentally established, which characterizes the protective properties of the barrier. The effect on the ballistic limit of the order of the layers was studied. As a result, it was found that for all selected pairs of materials, a larger ballistic limit was achieved when a less dense and less brittle plexiglass layer was located behind a denser plate (made of ceramic or artificial polyacrylic or quartz stone). The reverse order of the layers led to a decrease in the ballistic limit in all cases. Photographs illustrating the nature of the destruction of the plates are presented.

EFFECTS OF VOLUME OF CARBON NANOTUBES ON THE ANGLED BALLISTIC IMPACT FOR CARBON KEVLAR HYBRID FABRICS

Investigations of the angled ballistic impact behavior on Carbon Kevlar® Hybrid fabrics with assorted volumes of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) into epoxy are presented. The ballistic impact behavior of the epoxy composites with/without CNTs is compared. Individual impact studies are conducted on the composite plate made-up of Carbon Kevlar Hybrid fabrics with diverse volumes of CNTs. The plate was fabricated with eight layers of equal thickness arranged in different percentages of CNTs. A conical steel projectile is considered for a high velocity impact. The projectile is placed very close to the plate, at the centre and impacted with sundry speeds. The variation of the kinetic energy, the increase in the internal energy of the laminate and the decrease in the velocity of the projectile with disparate angles are also studied. Based on the results, the percentage of CNTs for the ballistic impact of each angle is suggested. The solution is based on the target material properties at high ballistic impact resistance, the inclined impact and the CNT volumes. Using the ballistic limit velocity, contact duration at ballistic limit, surface thickness of target and the size of the damaged zone are predicted for fabric composites.

Numerical Study on Ballistic Resistance of Thin Aluminium Plate Subjected to Variable Diameter Projectile Impacts

The ballistic resistance of a thin aluminium plate was investigated against rigid hemispherical nosed projectile impact. The target span was varied as 68 mm, 100 mm, 150 mm and impacted normally by 19 mm diameter hemispherical nosed projectile. The residual velocity and ballistic limit velocity obtained from the numerical results using nonlinear finite element code LS-DYNA is compared with the experimental results available in the literature. Further, parametric study has been carried out for different projectile diameter with the same target span and validated with Recht and Ipson’s model. The ballistic limit has been decreasing with decrease in projectile diameter and it is also observed that ballistic limit of the target increases with increase in target span diameter.

Ballistic Limit Estimation Approaches for Ballistic Resistance Assessment

The armour technologist conducts ballistic impact testing either for evaluating armour materials and systems or for studying material’s defeating mechanism. Most standards make use of the ballistic limit velocity for ballistic assessment. This is the bullet impact velocity that leads to the protection perforation in 50 per cent of the cases. Various models have been emerged to estimate this key metric. The present article summarises the popular models developed for ballistic limit estimation. An attempt is made to point out models’ strength and weakness. First, the experimental set-up used for that goal is displayed. Next, a concise overview of ballistic limit estimation methods is presented. Lastly, a discussion is dedicated to model’s comparison and analysis. This literature survey reveals that the main drawback of already existing methods is that they are purely statistical. Moreover, existing methods are based on the normality assumption of perforation velocities which tends from -infinity to infinity. The main conclusion of this survey is that the presented methods offer a comparable accuracy in estimating the ballistic limit velocity. However, a given variability is remarked when extreme values estimation is of interest, impact velocities leading to low and high perforation probability. Finally, existing models’ performances decay with the reduction of the experimental sample size which represent a constraining requirement in ballistic resistance assessment.

Study on Ballistic Characteristics of Glass-Epoxy-Rubber Sandwiches

This article focuses on the Finite Element (FE) analysis of the ballistic performance of the polymer composites consisting of natural rubber (NR), glass-epoxy (GE) and glass-rubber-epoxy (GRE) sandwich of different thicknesses (3, 6 and 9 mm) under the impact of the conical nose projectile for a velocity variation of (180, 220 and 260 m / s). FE modeling was carried out in direction to forecast the energy absorption, ballistic limit velocity and failure damage mode of the target materail. The significant influence of thickness, interlayer and sandwiching effect was studied: the lowest ballistic limit was obtained for 3 mm thick GE. Energy absorption capacity of GRE sandwich was highest among the natural rubber and GE. In future, the work can be extended for the experimental validation purpose, so that these polymer composite materials could be utilized to defence sector for bullet-proofing.

Ballistic limit velocity of tungsten alloy spherical fragment penetrating Ti/Al3Ti-laminated composite target plates

To determine the ballistic limit velocity of titanium–titanium tri-aluminide (Ti/Al3Ti)-laminated composites under the action of tungsten alloy spherical fragments, a type of 12.7 mm ballistic gun loading system was used to test the tungsten alloy spherical fragments vertically impacting the Ti/Al3Ti-laminated composite targets with different thickness. The relationship between the ballistic limit velocity and the target area density of the Ti/Al3Ti-laminated composite was obtained. As the area density increased, the ballistic limit velocity and the ballistic energy absorbed by the target plate also enhanced. Based on the dimensional analysis and similarity theory, a simulation law of tungsten alloy spherical fragments penetrating Ti/Al3Ti-laminated composite targets with different thickness was studied and an empirical formula for the ballistic limit velocity was obtained. The research results had an important application value for the optimal design of the light armor protection structure.