Ballistic penetration damage for hybrid carbon/Kevlar/UHMWPE fiber laminated composites: Experimental and numerical techniques

Hybrid composites incorporate different types of fibers and combine the benefits of different material properties for increasing the ballistic efficiency. Here, ballistic penetration behaviors were investigated for hybrid carbon/Kevlar/UHMWPE fiber laminated composites. The hybrid laminated composites had been prepared and penetrated under fragment simulating projectiles (FSP). The details of complex failure modes for the hybrids are observed and presented to illustrate the failure mechanisms. A finite element (FE) model had been developed to predict the impact induced damages for the hybrid composites. It is shown that the FE predictions were reliable both for failure modes and energy absorption. The damage evolution of the hybrid composites exhibited progressive damage behaviors. The damage area was very localized on the striking face and widened on the exit face of the composites. The main damage modes for fiber breakages, matrix crack and composite delamination can be found in the post-impact morphologies and numerical models. The energy absorption capability can be improved by 16.4% for the hybrid laminates. The stress wave propagation observed in FE models was linked to the hybrid structures and material properties, which resulted in a different damages and energy dissipation mechanisms.