Numerical simulation of armor materials and optimization using gray relational analysis

Abstract In the present work, three different armor materials such as Carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP), Kevlar and Steel were studied and simulated using Software ANSYS by considering bullet made of brass. Kevlar of 5 mm and 10 mm were taken to study the influence of layer on ballistic impact of armor materials. The study was performed on four different performance defining attributes (PDAs) such as maximum Directional Deformation, Maximum Stress, Energy Absorption and Weight. The attributes were taken as per the standard of NIJ Standard 0101.02, USA. Finally, Gray Relational Analysis was applied to rank the materials. The finding of result indicated that the best material for the given conditions of minimum deformation is steel, maximum energy absorption is CFRP, maximum stress is CFRP and minimum weight is Kevlar 10 mm thick. However none of materials crashes or deforms permanently and are within the limit specified by NIJ Standard 0101.02, USA. Kevlar is the lightest and second in maximum deformation, being the best in usability due to the economy in energy spent for the user or the vehicle armor. The thickness of Kevlar affects the deformation and energy absorption significantly. Kevlar has shown as the best material followed by CFRP and Steel on the basis of given attributes.