Engineering and Technology Journal

Numerical and Experimental Study of Hybrid Composite Body Armor

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Materials Engineering Department., University of Technology-Iraq, Alsina’a street, 10066 Baghdad, Iraq.

2 Manufacturing & Industrial Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Koya University, Koya, Kurdistan Region.

Abstract

Kevlar is widely used in ballistic applications to protect against hand pistols, due to its high strength, lightweight, and high impact resistance. Compared to other fabrics, Kevlar is considered a typical material due to its strength properties for bullet-proof vests. This project aims to develop a hybrid composite and investigate its behavior under ballistic impact both experimentally and theoretically. Ceramic/woven fabric reinforced epoxy/polycarbonate multilayered armors were developed. The initial layer of defense against the bullet is silicon carbide (SiC). The intermediate composite is made up of aramid fabric (Kevlar) reinforced epoxy (KEV/EPX). The rear layer was made of polycarbonate (PC). A 9 mm FMJ bullet was fired in 310 m/s, towards samples of 900 cm2. To simulate  the ballistic test, Ansys Workbench Explicit Dynamics and Ansys AUTODYN 3D were used. An integrated methodological approach of experimentation and simulation was followed to assess the behavior of samples. Obtained results showed that SiC+ KEV/EPX+ polycarbonate was able to stop the 9mm FMJ bullet and indicated that armor layers perforated without penetration. Back Face Signature BFS was also measured, which is within the allowed limit. The ceramic layer absorbs the largest percentage of the overall energy absorbed, compared to fiber-reinforced epoxy and polycarbonate, which reach 77.8% of the entire energy.

Highlights

  • Composite laminate materials were used to produce Body armor by hand layup as ballistic structural armors.
  • Simulation is able to assist decrease costs in the creation of armor.
  • Silicon Carbide + Ultra high molecular weight polyethylene + Polycarbonate can stop a 9mm FMJ bullet with just a little distortion.
  • The ceramic layer absorbs the largest percentage of the overall energy absorbed.

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Engineering and Technology Journal
Volume 39, Issue 11
Material Engineering
November 2021
Page 1681-1687
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