Investigations of the ballistic response of hybrid composite laminated structures

Abstract

Classic lightweight composite armour systems are usually made of ceramics, metals and fabric laminates separately or combination of two materials to resist a ballistic impact by 7.62 mm projectile. To enhance the ballistic impact resistance, this paper proposes hybrid laminated structures, which are developed through combinations of ceramics, Dyneema, Kevlar and compressed wood. There were twenty-five hybrid ballistic panels manufactured first, which were then subjected to field ballistic tests with 7.62 mm (×39 mm) bullets in a velocity range from 806.0 to 887.5 m/s. Here, five of twenty-five panels successfully stopped 7.62 mm projectile. The results of the ballistic performance, energy absorption, back face signature and failure mode of each type of the composite panels were obtained and examined. The mechanisms of ballistic resistance associated with different hybrid panels designed are investigated and discussed. In addition, analytical models are developed to predict ballistic perforation performance of single material layers and the related hybrid composite structures. The theoretical predictions of residual velocities are compared with the corresponding experimental measurements in a good agreement. These results provide the first-hand data to support further concept design of the hybrid ballistic panels and to validate computer models for optimizing lightweight composite armour.