The urban violence and the different types of global armed conflicts demand efficient protective systems against high energy ammunition. Multilayered Armor Systems (MAS) provide efficient protection by making use of lighter and more efficient materials. A typical MAS may be composed of three layers: a front ceramic followed by a composite, backed by a ductile metal. Polymer composites reinforced with natural fibers have proven to be effective second layers, being also lighter, low-cost and environmentally friendly as compared to conventional composites like Kevlar TM . The present work evaluates MAS using as second layer polyester composites reinforced with 10, 20, and 30 vol. % of sisal fibers. Ballistic tests were performed using class III 7.62x51 mm ammunition, based on the NIJ 0101.06 backface signature methodology. Both the 30 vol.% sisal fiber composite and the conventional aramid laminates were equally efficient in terms of MAS second layer. The explanation might be the similar capacity of the different composites to retain the fragments generated by the interaction of the projectile with the front ceramic, independently of the percentage of sisal fibers.
In order to search nanofiller for controlling release of drugs lamellar α-zirconium phosphate (α-ZrP) was modified with ether-amine oligomer (E-A). Synthesis and chemical modification followed specific reaction conditions and different EA:ZrP ratios. Infrared spectra showed strong interaction between P-OH and NH 2 groups. Thermogravimetric curves showed that ether-amine oligomer was incorporated by ZrP. Interlamellar space of α-ZrP increased at least four times indicating intercalation. The relaxometry analysis indicated that α-ZrP molecular mobility changed according to the etheramine amount. The scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive analysis revealed the presence of octadecylamine inside the α-ZrP galleries. The results showed that P-OH group (Brønsted acid) and amine group (Brønsted base) reacted to each other, resulting in an ionic bond PO-+ 3 HN-[-(CH 2-CH 2-O) m-(CH 2-C-H(CH 3)-O) n-]. Partially intercalated nanofiller were achieved.
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