Simulation and Design of Nanocomposite for Application in Ballistic Protection
Abstract
The objective of this research is to develop a modeling, simulation, and design tool for nanocomposites in order to predict, with accepted fidelity, nano-composite behaviors; and to design optimum nanocomposites for specific Army applications such as ballistic protection. Based on a unit cell model created for nanoclay-epoxy composites, the effect of nanoparticle distribution on the maximum stress developed in epoxy resin was investigated using the Meshfree Particle Method based simulation tool developed at MKP. The ensemble average of mechanical property for nanoclay-epoxy composite was also studied. The increase in the mechanical properties for nanoclay-reinforced epoxy was evidenced from the simulations. It is found that statistical analysis is crucial to predict the performance of nanoparticle reinforced composite. Several armor samples reinforced with nanoclay-epoxy composites were fabricated and ballistic tests were conducted on the nanoclay-reinforced composite armors. It was found that higher mechanical properties, such as modulus and strength, will help to improve the performances of composite armor system. A numerical simulation was initiated to investigate the protection difference between armor with nanoclay reinforced epoxy and armor with pure epoxy resin. Efforts have been made to reproduce similar ballistic protection behavior using the simulation tool in comparing with the actual test results.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 2008
- Accession Number
- ADA505716
Entities
People
- Basavaraju Raju
- Dongying Jiang
- Yuanyuan Liu
- Yushun Cui
- Zheng-dong Ma
Organizations
- Tank-automotive and Armaments Command