Penetration mechanisms of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene fiber reinforced laminates by a conical projectile laminated shell structure

Ballistic tests were performed on four different-Thickness ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene fiber reinforced laminates (Dyneema® HB26) by a conical-nosed steel projectile. The laminates exhibits much weaker resistance to penetration compared with those impacted by a spherical projectile. Ballistic limit of the laminates increases in the order of thickness: 4, 6, 2 and 8 mm. Fewer than 60% of the fibers that lay within the path of the conical-nosed projectile failed; this was 13.2% ~ 31.1% less than the percent of broken fibers in laminates penetrated by a spherical projectile. It is responsible for poor ballistic performance of the HB26 laminates impacted by the conical-nosed projectile.