An Experimental Investigation of High Velocity Impact and Penetration Failure Modes in Textile Composites

Abstract

The dynamic failure evolution of textile composites, which were subjected to impact velocities up to 1100 m/s, was investigated. Specialized machines were used to fabricate composites from combinations of Spectra®, Kevlara®, and Twaron® fibers and two- and three-dimensionally woven, braided, and needle-punched nonwoven fabrics. This control of fabrication and processing enabled us to characterize response as a function of areal density, fabric finish, and consolidation techniques. Failure was categorized in terms of material layers, debris mass, matrix cracking, fiber failure, and shear-plugging. Results indicate that shear-plugging occurs at velocities corresponding to decreases in debris mass.

Investigation of the ballistic performance of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene composite panels

“…Lee et al [7] noted in their ballistic study involving Spectra 900 R that although the matrix system did not seem to absorb substantial amounts of the impact energy, it definitely contributed to the overall amount of the energy absorbed by the composite. Flanagan et al [8] compared ballistic performance of various fabrics of different architectures, made of Spectra 1000 R , Kevlar 129 R , and Twaron 2000 R . An epoxy resin was used as the matrix system.…”

Finite element analysis of the damage mechanism of 3D braided composites under high-velocity impact

“…It is found that 3D braided composites show better damage tolerance than quasi-isotropic laminates with approximate bending stiffness in the primary direction. Flanagan et al [14] carried out a high velocity impact experiment to investigate the damage mechanism in woven, 3D braided and needle punched composites under impact velocities ranging from 200 to 1100 m/s. The penetration resistance and failure modes of these different textile composites were analyzed and compared.…”

Design and Ballistic Performance of Hybrid Composite Laminates

“…Unfortunately, although there exist a number of publications related to high velocity impacts on monolithic (i.e. non-hybrid) compliant laminates [9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17], only few are related to design of novel hybrid structures.…”