An Experimental Evaluation of the Air Cannon Technique for Use in Impact Resistance Screening of Polycarbonate

Abstract

An evaluation of the air cannon test technique for impact resistance screening of poly-carbonate was conducted. Tests were performed on plate specimens of various spans and thicknesses impacted by projectiles of various diameters, masses, and velocities. Strain rate, failure energy, failure mode, and percent thickness reduction were recorded. Falling weight tests were also conducted and results compared with the air cannon results. The air cannon results showed the same trends in the failure energy-versus-geometric parameter and in failure mode as the falling weight results. The air cannon test technique yielded strain rates characteristic of birdstrike for both thin (1/8 inch) and thick (1/2 inch) plates while the falling weight test achieved such strain rates only for thin (1/8 inch) plates. Polycarbonate; Falling weight; Accelerated impactor; Air cannon; Impact resistance; Lexan; Aircraft; Armor; Projectile; Strain rate.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Feb 01, 1987
Accession Number
ADA211869

Entities

People

  • M. P. Bouchard

Organizations

  • University of Dayton

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Air Force Facilities
  • Aircrafts
  • Classification
  • Computations
  • Diameters
  • Failure Mode And Effect Analysis
  • Geometry
  • Gun Barrels
  • Materials
  • Measurement
  • Mechanics
  • Plastic Explosives
  • Test And Evaluation
  • Test Methods
  • Thickness
  • Universities

Fields of Study

  • Engineering

Readers

  • Regression Analysis.
  • Structural Health Monitoring of Composite Structures.
  • ballistics.