Test of ballistic resistance of composite materials used for protection of special vehicle crews
Marek Szudrowicz
Quarterly No. 2, 2013 pages 81-85
DOI:
keywords: ballistic resistance, carbon composite, aramid composite, fibreglass composite, NCF fabrics, resin infusion
abstract Model composites were made, for which the following components were selected: epoxy resin reinforced with layers of NCF (non-crimped fabric) with appropriately oriented glass, carbon and aramid fibres. The fabrics for the test were selected so as to allow the comparison of ballistic resistance depending on the type of material, thickness and sequence of fabric. Resin infusion technology was used in preparing the composites. The resistance of the composite models was tested for penetration with: 9x19 mm FMJ projectiles, at a bullet impact speed of ca. 360 m/s, fragment simulating projectiles (FSP) with a mass of 1.1 g and fragments of a model IED improvised explosive device containing fragments in the form of 3/16” bearing balls. Carbon composites have the highest resistance to perforation with a 1.1 g FSP fragment simulating projectiles of all the materials tested. The ballistic limit of a four-directional carbon composite with a surface density of 5.5 kg/m2 is 305 m/s, and for a surface density of 21 kg/m2 the ballistic limit is 780 m/s. The ballistic resistance of the carbon composite is related to its high shear strength - the highest of all the materials tested. In reference to the model of composite damage by the projectile, this means that the first stage of penetration, in which the material is compressed and subject to shearing force, is the determining factor in resistance to perforation.