Natural Curaua Fiber-Reinforced Composites in Multilayered Ballistic Armor

Abstract

The performance of a novel multilayered armor in which the commonly used plies of aramid fabric layer were replaced by an equal thickness layer of distinct curaua fiber-reinforced composites with epoxy or polyester matrices was assessed. The investigated armor, in addition to its polymeric layer (aramid fabric or curaua composite), was also composed of a front Al 2 O 3 ceramic tile and backed by an aluminum alloy sheet. Ballistic impact tests were performed with actual 7.62 caliber ammunitions. Indentation in a clay witness, simulating human body behind the back layer, attested the efficacy of the curaua-reinforced composite as an armor component. The conventional aramid fabric display a similar indentation as the curaua/polyester composite but was less efficient (deeper indentation) than the curaua/epoxy composite. This advantage is shown to be significant, especially in favor of the lighter and cheaper epoxy composite reinforced with 30 vol pct of curaua fiber, as possible substitute for aramid fabric in multilayered ballistic armor for individual protection. Scanning electron microscopy revealed the mechanism associated with the curaua composite ballistic performance.

Ballistic Application of Coir Fiber Reinforced Epoxy Composite in Multilayered Armor

“…7(a) the small white particles of ceramic covering the fracture surface. This is an indication of a mechanism associated with the capture of fragments from the front ceramic, as previously reported for other natural fiber composites as MAS second layer [13][14][15][16][17][18] . Evidence of coir fiber pullout is depicted in Fig 7 (b).…”

“…In principle, the recognized mechanisms are stretching, delamination and rupture of fibers [13][14][15][16][17][18] . However, another efficient mechanism of energy dissipation is the capture of fragments resulting from the shatter of the first layer 27 .…”

“…Therefore, new materials are being investigated to attend both ballistic performance and economical market advantage. Polymer based composites reinforced with natural fibers have been ballistic tested as possible application in armors [10][11][12][13][14][15][16] . Recently the use of natural fabrics, fabricated from lignocellulosic fibers, as polymer composite reinforcement to be applied in MAS second layer was investigated 17,18 .…”

Desempenho Individual De Compósitos Reforçados Com Fibras De Curauá Sob Impacto Balístico Com Munição 7,62 Mm

“…O design ótimo de um sistema de blindagem deve balancear estas características conflitantes 1 . Atualmente, tecidos de fibras sintéticas como a aramida (Kevlar®) e o polietileno de ultra-alto peso molecular (Dyneema®) têm sido os preferidos para proteção balística contra munições leves, e para integrar sistemas de proteção contra calibres superiores, como o 7,62 mm [1][2][3] . No entanto, em virtude de apelos econômicos, ambientais e da disponibilidade limitada destes produtos, diversos materiais alternativos têm sido testados para estas aplicações.…”

“…No entanto, em virtude de apelos econômicos, ambientais e da disponibilidade limitada destes produtos, diversos materiais alternativos têm sido testados para estas aplicações. Neste cenário, destacam-se os compósitos reforçados com fibras naturais, que têm demonstrado bom desempenho balístico, ao integrarem os chamados sistemas de blindagem multicamada, que utilizam diferentes materiais em sua estrutura [3][4] . Entre as fibras naturais, destacam-se as fibras de curauá, em virtude da sua alta resistência e rigidez, e do baixo peso e alta tenacidade dos seus compósitos.…”