Ballistic performance of nanopowder intruded Kevlar polymeric composite targets

Abstract

The effect of nano-filler addition on the mechanical and impact properties of Carbon Nano Tubes (CNT) reinforced Kevlar Epoxy composites were studied. Three different laminates (one without fillers and two with increasing concentration of fillers) were prepared using the hand layup process. Tensile, Inter Laminar Shear Stress (ILSS) and Low-velocity ballistic impact experiments were done and the fractured samples were investigated for microanalysis. All the three experimental results showed better properties for the laminate which contains nano-fillers. Laminates with 0.5% CNT addition showed better tensile, ILSS and energy-absorbing properties when compared with the 1% CNT filled and reference composite. From the fractographic study, the front side damage was minimum for the KC0.5 sample while the back face deformation was lower for the KC1 sample. This increase is mainly attributed to the nanofillers which act as a resistance layer to the projectile impact and also by increasing the interfacial bonding between the layers and the matrix. The brittle nature of the front face with nanofiller matrix toughening is the main phenomenon that significantly improved the composite properties.