Construction and simulation of a novel high altitude versatile armor comprising of X-Aerogel and Carbon fiber composite with Ansys 2020 R2

Abstract

Abstract High Altitude Versatile Armor is a concept, thought of to protect the soldiers fighting at Siachen, by providing better armor and insulation in a lightweight package. The Armor is a Epoxy reinforced Carbon Fiber Composite sandwiched between two layers of polymer infused aerogel. It is capable of stopping bullets up to a 0.338 Lapua Magnum and can be made to suit various needs on demand due to its malleability and light weight package. Aerogel is a low density material capable of high insulation due to Knudsen Effect. It is made by super critically drying the solvent out of alcogels, commonly silica alcogels. Despite having high insulation, it has low mechanical strength and fractures easily. The mechanical strength is improved by removal of silicon hydroxides and addition of Di Isocyanate, which forms carbamates and a polymeric reaction occurs, linking the secondary particles. To compensate for the loss in thermal insulating properties due to modification of structure, a thin lining of silica aerogel maybe added. The Carbon fibre forms the heart of the armor which catches all the shrapnel of the bullet after it impacts on the aerogel. DGEBA has been used as epoxy resin in DETDA matrix, which acts as a hardener, to further reinforce the fibre. Fibre used has a tensile strength of 3.4 GPa and Modulus strength of 230 GPa. The total lightweight (4.1 kgs) structure was simulation tested on Ansys 2020 R2 Student version and is found to stop bullets up to 0.338 Lapua Magnum (Material -Copper, Velocity- 925 ms−1) .