Ballistic performance of hybrid composite structures

The aim of this study is to numerically investigate the ballistic behavior of composites with different thicknesses and different reinforcements. The guns were shot at four different velocities on composite models using armor-piercing 7.62 M61 AP projectiles. The alumina ceramics forming the front surface of the composite structure were used in three different thicknesses, 6 mm, 8 mm, 10 mm. The fabric-reinforced epoxy composite, which forms the back surface of the composite structure, is modeled to have six different compositions in total, using three different reinforcing elements, with a total thickness of 10 mm. Aramid, S2 glass and hybrid carbon-aramid fabrics were used as reinforcement. In addition, the aramid/S2 glass/epoxy model has been produced at three different thickness ratios, with aramid and S2 glass fibers having a total thickness of 10mm. In the study, Ansys was used as preprocessor and Ls-Dyna as solver. Multilayer MAT 59 and MAT 22 for composite materials; MAT 110 material cards were used for alumina ceramic material. For the composite structure: 72 different numerical analyzes were performed for four different velocities, three different ceramic thicknesses and six different composite compositions. As a result, the numerical analysis revealed that the alumina/S2 glass/ epoxy composites had a higher ballistic performance than the others in the data, based on the input-output velocity of the projectiles when the areal density of armors is not considered. Also, when the all ceramic thicknesses and areal density of armors are considered, it is found that the aramid/epoxy backing plate had a higher ballistic performance than the others.