Ballistic performance of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene laminate with different thickness

Abstract

To explore the influence of thickness on the protective performance and damage mechanism of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) laminates penetrated by 7.62 × 39 mm steel core bullets, field firing tests were carried out for 10-, 20-, and 30-mm-thick laminates at 10°C. The deformation and failure process, final failure state and deformation degree, and cross-section of the opening holes of different thickness UHMWPE laminates were analyzed and compared to determine the protective capability and failure mechanism of the laminates. The results show that the ballistic responses of the UHMWPE laminates with different thicknesses vary significantly, and that the protective capability of the UHMWPE laminates was improved with the increase in the laminate thickness. The 10-mm-thick UHMWPE laminate was perforated by the bullet, while the 20- and 30-mm-thick laminates were not. The 10-mm-thick laminate shows two-stage failure characteristics, while the 20- and 30-mm-thick laminates exhibit three-stage failure characteristics that are different from each other. The largest back-face deformation depth of 17.50–21.25 mm was obtained for the 20-mm-thick laminate, while the deformation of the 30-mm-thick laminate is negligible. It is suggested that the functions and application scenarios for the UHMWPE laminates with different thicknesses are different due to their different protective properties and failure mechanisms.