Ballistic impact behavior of the aramid and ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene composites

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Date

2015-01

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Publisher

Sage Publications

Abstract

This paper presents the experimental study of fiber type, fabric structure, orientation of fabric plies and thickness on the ballistic impact behavior of aramid and ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) composite laminates. Aramid composite laminates are reinforced by three kinds of fabric structures and UHMWPE composite laminates are reinforced by two kinds of fabric structures. The laminates are fabricated via autoclave curing process. The ballistic behavior of composite laminates is evaluated by ballistic limit velocity, and energy absorbed at ballistic limit. Through a series of ballistic tests, it is demonstrated that unidirectional composite laminates exhibit higher ballistic limit velocity and energy absorption on unit weight basis compared to other laminates. Interesting results are shown by UD-UHMWPE-H62 (R) and UD-UHMWPE-Endumax (R) fabric-reinforced laminates. Orientation of fabric plies is found to have insignificant effect on ballistic behavior irrespective of material type. A bi-linear relationship is found between the ballistic limit velocity, energy absorption and specimen thickness.

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Keywords

Aramids and ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene, Autoclave process, Ballistic behavior, Ballistic limit velocity, Composite laminates, Energy-absorption capabilities, Woven, Performance, Carbon, Model, Materials science, Polymer science, Autoclaves, Ballistics, Energy absorption, Laminated composites, Laminates, Molecular orientation, Molecular weight, Nonmetallic matrix composites, Paper laminates, Pressure vessels, Reinforcement, Ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylenes, Velocity, Autoclave process, Ballistic impact behavior, Ballistic limit velocity, Composite laminate, Fabric structures, Linear relationships, Specimen thickness, Unidirectional composites, Polyethylenes

Citation

Karahan, M. vd. (2015). "Ballistic impact behavior of the aramid and ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene composites". Journal of Reinforced Plastics and Composites, 34(1), 37-48.