Effect of matrix on the ballistic impact of aramid fabric composite laminates by armor piercing projectiles

Ballistic impact performance of aramid fiber fabric-epoxy and aramid fiber fabric-polypropylene (PP)-based composite laminates has been studied against 7.62 mm armor piercing projectiles. Twaron® was used as aramid fiber fabric in the composites. Role of matrix on the damage pattern has been investigated by impacting the composites of different thickness with projectiles having different strike velocity (SV). Ballistic limit (BL) for each composite has been estimated through correlation of SV and residual velocity (RV) of the projectile by usual V50 method. Ballistic limit was found to vary linearly with composite laminate thickness. Twaron®-PP composites exhibited higher ballistic limit compared toequivalent thickness of Twaron®-epoxy composites. Epoxy-based composites exhibited localized damage mode compared to a global mode of failure in PP-based composites. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that fibers in Twaron®-epoxy composites failed largely by shear while tensile mode of failure was observed for Twaron®–PP composites. POLYM. COMPOS., 2012. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers