Mechanical Characterization of Advanced Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) Composites by Ultrasonic Method
Abstract
Advanced ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) composites may offer breakthroughs in terms of increasing ballistic performance with less back-surface deformation, while decreasing cost. An example is Tensylon, which is a solid-state-extruded (SSE) UHMWPE film used to fabricate film-based composites. Researchers aiming to operationalize these advances into better warfighter protection through physics-based modeling and simulation of the deformation and failure of material in the target interaction zone require mesostructure-inspired and mechanism-based (MIMB) material (deformation and failure) models. Here, as a first step toward obtaining deformation and failure models, a direct contact ultrasonic method is used to provide quasi transversely isotropic elastic parameters of novel fiber- and film-based UHMWPE composite materials. The technique accounted for the anisotropy of the material, providing the full matrix of elastic constants, the anisotropic moduli, and Poisson's ratios, which are a challenge or almost impossible to obtain through traditional mechanical experimentation. The physical principles involved are thoroughly reviewed, discussed, and analyzed, thereby providing a reference report for future researchers who could apply the methodology to other complex classes of innovative anisotropic Army-relevant materials.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 2021
- Accession Number
- AD1146645
Entities
People
- Stephen L. Alexander
- Tusit Weerasooriya
Organizations
- United States Army