Experimental and Numerical Study of Ballistic Resistance of Composites Based on Sandwich Metallic Foams

Abstract

In recent years, hybrid composite materials are of increasing interest during the search for new materials to be used as ballistic barriers (shields) and kinetic energy absorbers. The main objective of this study is to test the energy absorption capacity of Zn-Al alloys filled with various polymer materials (epoxy resin, polyurethane resin and silicone). The ballistic resistance of modern hybrid materials to direct firing of a 5.56 × 45 mm SS109 projectile and during quasi-static piercing test is examined. Next, a numerical simulation in the ABAQUS environment is performed. In order to accurately reproduce the foam structure, a computed microtomography (CT) system is used. In the simulation of deformations of viscoplastic bodies, the Lagrange and Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamic (SPH) methods are applied. The obtained results from numerical analyses are verified with experimental results. Metallic foams are proven to have only a remote influence on the impact load, while, when filled with polyurethane resin, they show resistance to the overshoot. Performed simulation supports the detailed analysis of the impact energy dissipation for each of the samples.