Numerical Simulation and Experimental Validation of E-Glass/epoxy Composite Material under Ballistic Impact of 9 mm Soft Projectile

Abstract

Fabric reinforced polymer composites have been widely used in automotive industry, aerospace industry and in several defence applications due to their lower density and higher specific strengths comparable to metals. In the present study, experimental and numerical simulations of ballistic impact on E-Glass/epoxy composite when subjected to normal and oblique impact by 9 mm soft lead projectile have been reported. Numerical modelling is used to estimate residual velocity and damage patterns of the composite laminate. The simulations are carried out using Abaqus/Explicit code based on finite element analysis. The findings show that the residual velocity decreases with increase in angle of obliquity and thickness. It is also found that the projectile is stopped by 7 mm thick sample at normal angle where as it is stopped by 5 mm thick sample at 60° angle. Good correlation between numerical simulation and experimental results was achieved, in terms of residual velocity of the projectile and damage of the laminates.