Abstract:
An experimental program has been conducted to study the normal perforation of a small caliber
projectile into textile/epoxy composite targets. This program is concerned with the determination of
ballistic resistance for a set of targets, consisting of kevlar/epoxy and S-2 glass/epoxy composites
with different thicknesses. The used textiles (kevlar-129 and S-2 glass) for manufacturing the
composites have a new weave shape (3D weaveTM), which permits the epoxy resin to diffuse
through it. In addition, tensile tests of manufactured composite specimens are performed to
determine their mechanical properties.
The analytical model developed by Taylor and Vinson [1] is adopted herein to describe the
penetration of a small caliber projectile into a textile/epoxy composite target. The selected model
uses the circumferential strain as a failure criterion for a composite target. The main assumptions
and equations representing the analytical model are presented. These equations are arranged
and compiled into a computer program. The input data to run the program are easily determined.
The ballistic measurements of the experimental program are compared with the model predictions;
good agreement is generally obtained. The obtained results show that the tested composites with
different thicknesses have a limited ballistic resistance against the used projectile. Moreover, other
types of epoxies are recommended be used for manufacturing the composites and the effect of
epoxy type as well as the delamination between composite layers on their ballistic resistance must
be considered.
