Ballistic impact behavior of the aramid and ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene composites

KARAHAN M., Jabbar A., KARAHAN N.

JOURNAL OF REINFORCED PLASTICS AND COMPOSITES, vol.34, no.1, pp.37-48, 2015 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 34 Issue: 1
  • Publication Date: 2015
  • Doi Number: 10.1177/0731684414562223
  • Journal Name: JOURNAL OF REINFORCED PLASTICS AND COMPOSITES
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.37-48
  • Keywords: Composite laminates, ballistic limit velocity, ballistic behavior, autoclave process, aramids and ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene, ENERGY-ABSORPTION CAPABILITIES, WOVEN, PERFORMANCE, CARBON, MODEL
  • Bursa Uludag University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

This paper presents the experimental study of fiber type, fabric structure, orientation of fabric plies and thickness on the ballistic impact behavior of aramid and ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) composite laminates. Aramid composite laminates are reinforced by three kinds of fabric structures and UHMWPE composite laminates are reinforced by two kinds of fabric structures. The laminates are fabricated via autoclave curing process. The ballistic behavior of composite laminates is evaluated by ballistic limit velocity, and energy absorbed at ballistic limit. Through a series of ballistic tests, it is demonstrated that unidirectional composite laminates exhibit higher ballistic limit velocity and energy absorption on unit weight basis compared to other laminates. Interesting results are shown by UD-UHMWPE-H62 (R) and UD-UHMWPE-Endumax (R) fabric-reinforced laminates. Orientation of fabric plies is found to have insignificant effect on ballistic behavior irrespective of material type. A bi-linear relationship is found between the ballistic limit velocity, energy absorption and specimen thickness.