Ballistic study of Tensylon®–based panels

Abstract

Ballistic protection is a matter of interest requested by civilian as well as military needs. The last decade has witnessed an increase in the use of light weight and efficient armour systems. These panels may be used for body protection as well as light vehicle protection against small calibres or to enhance the protection level of heavier vehicles with decreasing or maintaining their weight penalty. Ultra high molecular weight polyethylene is a material of interest for light weight armour applications. The authors designed panels made of hot-pressed Tensylon ® in different configurations with thin steel sheets as a backing and shield protection. Comparison of their ballistic performance to the theory predictions reveals the improved ballistic response of the panels. In addition, a non-pressed Tensylon ® panel has been tested in order to facilitate the observations of the failure mechanisms inside the panels. Even if not suitable for practical use, such non-pressed panels clearly reveal the dynamic processes at micro-scale that occur during the impact. The failure mechanisms of the material under bullet penetration are discussed based on photography, optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The supposed effects of the panel pressing are discussed based on the observed difference between pressed and non-pressed structures ballistic response.

Laser Induced Shockwave as Delaminator of Composite Material for Ballistic Protection at High Strain Rate

“…The influence of the interfacial stiffness parameter has been studied and it is observed that its best value is of 2.5.10 +11 N. Larger values yielded to underestimate the bulging of the free surface when it is spalled. The numerical simulation of the delamination showed a multi delamination, suspected since observed in larger samples impacted by real bullets in [15] but not evidenced in thinner samples subjected to laser induced shock waves due to the difficulty of obtaining a clear cut and polishing of the recovered samples. This is an issue that could be extensively prospected by the future use of a high resolution microtomograph.…”

“…They suggested a Young Modulus of 3000 MPa, Poisson ratio of 0.47, Yield stress of 60 MPa and Tangential modulus of 500 MPa. In [15], a full UHMWPE plate of 500Ã500 mm was impacted with 7.62Ã39 mm FMJ with lead core bullet at 700 m/s. Micro and macroscopic observations are given and among dissipative mechanisms identified, multi-delamination is observed.…”

Impact mechanics of multilayer composite armors: Analytical modeling, FEM numerical simulation, and ballistic experiments

“…Indeed, in the regime of interest thermal effects are generally considered negligible [32], as later confirmed by results. Parallel, some experiments would confirm that this assumption is reasonable up to 700-800m∕s, when melting may start to occur for the thermoset resin or PE fibers [33].…”