Characterization and Modeling of the In-Plane Shear Deformation in Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) Composites
Abstract
Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) composites are employed in wide array of ballistic protective applications, where there is a close relationship between the as-manufactured component quality and performance. Thermoforming is an efficient way to produce a large volume of complex curvature thermoplastic parts for ballistic protective systems, such as helmets. During the thermoforming process, commercially available thin sheets of UHMWPE material are stacked loosely before undergoing a preforming process at elevated temperature. The near-net shape preforms subsequently undergo high-pressure consolidation. In the preforming process, the individual sheets of UHMWPE composite are subjected to large amounts of in-plane shear deformation. Accurate characterization of the in-plane shear response is critical in developing reliable predictive models capable of guiding process cycle design. This work establishes a methodology for characterizing the in-plane shear response of UHMWPE composites using the bias-extension test method. An LS-DYNA finite-element model, capable of simulating the in-plane shear behavior of the UHMWPE composite, is presented and verified by predicting the results from the bias-extension test. The LS-DYNA model and characterization methodology are further validated through correlation of predicted results with experimental observations using the picture frame test.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 16, 2019
- Accession Number
- AD1080467
Entities
People
- James Sherwood
- Julia R. K. Cline
- Kari White
- Michael Yeager
- Travis Bogetti
Organizations
- United States Army Research Laboratory