Structural design and shock wave attenuation properties of multilayered polyurethane and polyurea materials

Abstract Explosive blasts are considered a distinct hazard in modern military conflicts, which cause extensive damage to buildings and people. Although conventional impact‐resistant materials, consisting of metals/ceramics and polymers, have been researched systematically, the study of lightweight polymer matrix materials on explosive blast attenuation is limited. Therefore, we designed two main structural materials to evaluate the protective ability and mechanical properties of polyurethane elastomer (PUE) and polyurea (PUA) engineering materials under explosive blast loads. The first material was obtained by doping reinforced carbon nanofibers into PUE composites, and the second material was designed based on the mechanical properties of the PUE and PUA single‐layer plates. The attenuation rate of PUE nanocomposites with different nanofiller masses was found to be reduced by 48.44%. Involving multilayers between different types of polymers, PUE/PUA composite plates exhibited an attenuation rate of 84.82% by altering the structure and materials based on their mechanical properties under explosive loads. Therefore, they can provide a favorable and practical strategy for the preparation and structural design of protection materials to withstand the shock wave in vehicle applications, gas explosions, and military events. Highlights Lightweight polymer matrix materials on explosive blast attenuation were studied systematically. Composite plates were made up of polyurea and polyurethane elastomer. Two main structural materials were designed. Carbon nanofibers were used to enhance the composites. PUE/PUA composite plates exhibited an attenuation rate of 84.82% under the explosion.