Delamination controlled ballistic resistance of polyethylene/polyethylene composite materials

H. Harel, G. Marom, S. Kenig

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

29 Scopus citations

Abstract

We have investigated ballistic response of polyethylene/polyethylene (PE/PE) composites to impact by Uzi bullets. For comparison, limited work was carried out on PE/aramid fiber hybrids and PE fiber/Polycarbonate plate laminates. The plates exhibited an average ballistic resistance, V50, of approximately 90 m/s per 1 kg/m2 area density. In term of the protection level per thickness, the ballistic resistance was 76 m/s per 1 mm. Visual and microscopic examinations identified indentation and delamination as the prevailing failure mechanisms. The delamination, energy calculated on the basis of a simple delamination model considering the fracture surface energy of the matrix, was shown to fully balance the dissipated kinetic energy of the bullet, while the contribution of the fiber fracture process was negligible. This is taken as strong circumstantial evidence for the significant role of this failure process in the ballistic resistance of these composites.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)33-42
Number of pages10
JournalApplied Composite Materials
Volume9
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2002

Keywords

  • Ballistic performance
  • Delamination
  • Polyethylene/polyethylene composites

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Delamination controlled ballistic resistance of polyethylene/polyethylene composite materials'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this