Experimental and Numerical Investigation of the Effect of Projectile Nose Shape on the Deformation and Energy Dissipation Mechanisms of the Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) Composite.

Yonghua Shen,Fuchi Wang,Yangwei Wang,Qunbo Fan,Xingwang Cheng,Cheng Miao,Zhaopu Yan

doi:10.3390/ma14154208

Yonghua Shen, Fuchi Wang + Show 5 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14154208

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Abstract

The effect of projectile nose shape on the ballistic performance of the ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) composite was studied through experiments and simulations. Eight projectiles such as conical, flat, hemispherical, and ogival nose projectiles were used in this study. The deformation process, failure mechanisms, and the specific energy absorption (SEA) ability were systematically investigated for analyzing the ballistic responses on the projectile and the UHMWPE composite. The results showed that the projectile nose shape could invoke different penetration mechanisms on the composite. The sharper nose projectile tended to shear through the laminate, causing localized damage zone on the composite. For the blunt nose projectile penetration, the primary deformation features were the combination of shear plugging, tensile deformation, and large area delamination. The maximum value of specific energy absorption (SEA) was 290 J/(kg/m2) for the flat nose projectile penetration, about 3.8 times higher than that for the 30° conical nose projectile. Furthermore, a ballistic resistance analytical model was built based on the cavity expansion theory to predict the energy absorption ability of the UHMWPE composite. The model exhibited a good match between the ballistic resistance curves in simulations with the SEA ability of the UHMWPE composite in experiments.

Highlights

Fiber-reinforced plastic composites have been extensively used in armor protection due to low density and effective ballistic performance [1,2,3,4]
The majority of studies focus on the aramid fiber reinforced polymer (AFRP), glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP), and carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites [12,13]
The current study mainly investigates the effect of projectile nose shape on the deformation and energy dissipation mechanisms of the ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) composite

Summary

Introduction

Fiber-reinforced plastic composites have been extensively used in armor protection due to low density and effective ballistic performance [1,2,3,4]. For the sake of the armor design, the parameter study of the ballistic impact has attracted intensive attention. These parameters include the mechanical property and structure of the composites [1,5], impact velocity, and projectile geometry [6,7,8]. The studies have found that the projectile shape has significant influence on the deformation and failure mechanisms the composites [9,10,11]. Relevant research demonstrates that the projectile shape can invoke different deformation and failure mechanism of the fiber-reinforced plastic composite.

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