Experimental characterisation and numerical simulation of ballistic penetration of columnar ceramic/fiber laminate composite armor

Experimental study on the effect of ceramic properties on failure behavior of composite armor

“…The photographs of UHMWPE laminate deformation after the testing are shown in Figure 8, in which the two B 4 C UHMWPE composite armors were fully perforated, and the other three types of ceramic UHMWPE composite armors were partly perforated. There have been extensive studies conducted on the failure modes of UHMWPE laminates, encompassing both the failure modes of UHMWPE laminates themselves 8,30,32,33 and the deformation and damage mechanisms when UHMWPE is utilized as a backing material for ceramic panels 9,12,34,35 . The research findings indicate that UHMWPE laminated composites primarily undergo shear plugging, delamination, plastic deformation (resulting in permanent deflection of the backing plate), transverse shear, and other observable forms of macroscopic damages and failures during impact resistance.…”

“…There have been extensive studies conducted on the failure modes of UHMWPE laminates, encompassing both the failure modes of UHMWPE laminates themselves 8,30,32,33 and the deformation and damage mechanisms when UHMWPE is utilized as a backing material for ceramic panels. 9,12,34,35 The research findings indicate that UHMWPE laminated composites primarily undergo shear plugging, delamination, plastic deformation (resulting in permanent deflection of the backing plate), transverse shear, and other observable forms of macroscopic damages and failures during impact resistance. Additionally, the fiber bundles within the laminated composites experience tensile deformation, fracture, debonding, as well as pullout and fracture at the rear of the laminated composites.…”

Quantitative investigation on ballistic resistance and energy absorption behavior of columnar ceramic/interlayer hybrid fiber composites

“…The fibers frequently employed in these backplates encompass aramid, ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), poly(p-phenylene benzobisoxazole) (PBO), and poly(pyridobisimidazole) (PIPD) fibers. 5,[7][8][9][10][11] The latter two, however, are less prevalent in application, impeded by their high production costs and relatively limited manufacturing capabilities.…”

“…During the ceramic response period, ceramic composites undergo three stages, [15][16][17][18] that is, initial contact of the bullet with the ceramic which leads to a sharp increase in ceramic's internal stress, initiation and propagation of internal cracks in the ceramic which results in the formation of ceramic fragments, and accumulation of ceramic fragments to form a ceramic cone which then penetrates the backplate, respectively. In the backplate response period, ceramic composites undergo three stages, 5,19 that is, crushing and fragmenting of the surface layer of the backplate, shear plugging in the middle of the backplate, tensile failure, and delamination of the backplate, respectively. However, the studies above only qualitatively categorized the ballistic penetration response of ceramic composites based on the damage results.…”

“…The results disclosed that utilizing columnar ceramics with convex end faces in an arrayed format can make the fractured pieces smaller, thinner, and sharper than those produced by monolithic ceramic plates. Furthermore, Jiang et al 5 integrated columnar ceramics featuring convex ends into ceramic/fiber laminate composites, achieving effective defense against 7.62 mm armor‐piercing incendiary. The weight efficiency demonstrated by these composites is noteworthy, with an areal density lower than 43 kg∙m −2 .…”