Numerical and experimental study of hybrid composite body armor

Abstract EN

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 orbs the largest percentage of the overall energy orbed, compared to fiber-reinforced epoxy and polycarbonate, which reach 77.8% of the entire 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 orbs the largest percentage of the overall energy orbed, compared to fiber-reinforced epoxy and polycarbonate, which reach 77.8% of the entire energy.