Influence of projectile physical state on ballistic energy absorption capacity of UHMWPE laminate: Experiment and simulation

This paper presents the influence of projectile physical state on ballistic energy absorption capacity of UHMWPE laminate. Specifically, standard fragment simulating projectile (FSP) and 7.62 mm × 39 mm mild steel core projectile (MSCP) are utilized to perforate two kinds of areal density laminate. Internal damage morphologies of post-impact laminate are characterized via X-ray computer tomography (CT). A sub-laminate discretization approach was used to establish numerical laminate model, and decoupling parametric studies of projectile state were performed. Results of ballistic tests show that ballistic energy absorption capacity of laminate depends on projectile state and laminate areal density. Multi scale damage morphologies analysis indicate that shear fracture and multi-layer delamination failure are the primary failure modes of post-impact laminate, which were in good agreement with simulation results. Results of parametric studies suggest that high-speed spin of projectile will cause torsional deformation of laminate.