Experimental Investigation of High Velocity Projectile Penetration into Innegra Fabric Composite

Abstract

High velocity impact resistance is a key requirement for advanced performance structures. This study focuses on experimental investigation of composite behavior made of Innegra fabric under high velocity impact. The targets are made by vacuum infusion method using Innegra fabric, which is a woven fabric composed of high modulus polypropylene fibers as reinforcement and epoxy as matrix. These samples are subjected to high velocity impact test performed by gas gun. In the present article, the ballistic performance of two- and four-layer composites impacted by conical projectiles with different diameters of 5 and 10 mm are investigated and the effect of the projectile diameter and sabot is studied. The experimental tests have been performed in the velocity range from 30 m/s to 160 m/s for two- and four-layers composites. Ballistic limit, energy absorption and damage pattern have been investigated. The results show the appropriate ballistic performance of Innegra/epoxy composite compared to other composites such as Kevlar/epoxy. The ballistic limit velocity base on experimental tests for two-layer Innegra/epoxy composite with a conical projectile is 54 m/s and for four-layer composite with 52% increase, is 82 m/s and the energy absorption for two-layer composite is 27.33 J and for four-layer composite with 78% increase is 48.70J.

Keywords

• projectile penetration
• ballistic limit
• innegra/epoxy woven composite
• vacuum infusion
• energy absorption