Numerical prediction of damage mechanisms of E-Glass/epoxy composite material against ballistic impact of 7.62 MS projectile

Abstract

The fibre reinforced polymer matrix composite materials have acquired more credibility over other materials like metals and ceramics due to their high specific strength. Numerical simulations of ballistic impact of 7.62 mild steel projectile on various thicknesses of plain woven E-Glass/epoxy composite material were performed. Residual velocity and ballistic limit of the composite material were determined numerically and the results are compared with that of experiments published elsewhere. The numerical and experimental results are in good agreement. The numerical results are also compared with Recht-Ipson (R-I) and Gellert et al analytical models and are found to be in good correlation. Various failure mechanisms such as two stage damage mechanism namely dishing in target materials less than 10mm and indentation followed by dishing in target materials greater than 10 mm, delamination, and fibre and matrix failure modes of the composite material were studied and compared with the analytical models and experimental results. The wave propagation mechanisms and the damage phenomena are also studied and correlated.