Effect of nanoclay on ballistic behavior of woven fabric composites: Experimental investigation

Abstract

In this article, the influence of nanoclay Closite 30B on E-glass/epoxy laminated composites behavior has been investigated by ballistic impact, X-ray diffraction and tensile tests. The fiber glass used is a plain weave of 200 g/m2, whereas nanoclay is an organically modified montmorillonite nanoclay (Closite 30B). The epoxy resin system is made up of epon 828 as the epoxy prepolymer and Jeffamine D-400 as the curing agent. The nanoclay particles are dispersed into the epoxy system in 0, 1, 2, 3, 5 and 7% in weight with respect to the matrix. Ballistic tests were performed by considering three impact velocities, 130, 142 and 155 m/s by a flat-ended projectile. The results show that not only have the mechanical properties increased, but also have the energy-absorbing capability and the damage area due to addition of nanoclay particles, especially in impact velocities near to ballistic limit. For the impact velocities of 130 and 142 m/s, the maximum increase of the energy-absorbing capability is observed in 5 wt% nanoclay, whereas for the impact velocity of 155 m/s, the energy-absorbing capability is increased beyond 7 wt% nanoclay.