Impact and Ballistic Response of Hybridized Thermoplastic Laminates

Abstract

Recent Army research has focused on the use of thermoplastic-based polymer laminates for mass-efficient ballistic helmets. The focus of this work was to develop an understanding of how hybridization of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) thermoplastic with various other thermoplastic and thermoset materials would affect ballistic performance and back face deformation. Panels of various material combinations and of varying architectures were processed and tested. Architecturally hybridized panels of UHMWPE exhibited the highest resistance to dynamic backface deformation. Generally, there were tradeoffs between ballistic performance and backface deformation within the variations of architecturally hybridized composites. However, several of the panels (the 50/50 and 90/10 hybrid series) exhibited projectile resistances comparable, and in a few cases superior, to that of the [0/90] plate while still exhibiting a higher level of deformation resistance.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Feb 01, 2011
Accession Number
ADA538498

Entities

People

  • James Wolbert
  • Lionel Vargas-gonzalez
  • Shawn M. Walsh

Organizations

  • United States Army Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Human Systems
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Composite Materials
  • Dielectric Polymers
  • Gas Guns
  • Hybridization
  • Laminates
  • Materials
  • Materials Laboratories
  • Materials Testing
  • Measurement
  • Military Research
  • Molecular Weight
  • Polyethylenes
  • Polymer Matrix Composites
  • Polymers
  • Resins
  • Test Methods
  • Thermosetting Plastics

Fields of Study

  • Materials science

Readers

  • Reinforced Composite Materials