Impact Response of Aramid Fabric-Reinforced Polybenzoxazine/Urethane Composites Containing Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes Used as Support Panel in Hard Armor

Abstract

The aim of this research project is to analyze support panels that are based on aramid fabrics which are reinforced with polybenzoxazine/urethane (poly(BA-a/PU)) composites and contain multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). Through the measurement of mechanical properties and a series of ballistic-impact tests that used 7.62 × 51 mm2 projectiles (National Institute of Justice (NIJ), level III), the incorporated MWCNTs were found to enhance the energy-absorption (EAbs) property of the composites, improve ballistic performance, and reduce damage. The perforation process and the ballistic limit (V50) of the composite were also studied via numerical simulation, and the calculated damage patterns were correlated with the experimental results. The result indicated hard armor based on polybenzoxazine nanocomposites could completely protect the perforation of a 7.62 × 51 mm2 projectile at impact velocity range of 847 ± 9.1 m/s. The results revealed the potential for using the poly(BA-a/PU) nanocomposites as energy-absorption panels for hard armor.

High Performance Composites Based on Highly Filled Glass Fiber-Reinforced Polybenzoxazine for Post Application

“…They can also be prepared from inexpensive basic ingredients and polymerized by a ring-opening addition reaction with low a-stage viscosity and no reaction by-products. The extraordinary molecular design flexibility of polybenzoxazines enables the polymerized materials’ characteristics to be modified in a variety of ways to meet the demands of various applications [ 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 ].…”