Effect of reinforcement type on high velocity impact response of GRP plates using a sharp tip projectile

• Published in: International journal of impact engineering Vol. 38; no. 8; pp. 715 - 722
• Main Authors: Sabet, Alireza, Fagih, Narges, Beheshty, Mohammad Hosain
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01-08-2011; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Ballistic limit; Buildings; Buildings. Public works; Composite; Composites; Exact sciences and technology; External envelopes; Failure; Fiber reinforcement; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; Fundamental areas of phenomenology (including applications); Glass fiber reinforced plastics; High velocity impact; Impact response; Inelasticity (thermoplasticity, viscoplasticity...); Measurement and testing methods; Physics; Plates; Polymer industry, paints, wood; Projectiles; Reinforcement; Sharp tip projectile; Solid mechanics; Structural and continuum mechanics; Technology of polymers; Wall covering (rendering, paint, wall paper); Weave; Ballistic limit; High velocity impact; Composite; Sharp tip projectile; Unidirectional fiber material; Ester polymer; Rupture; Tension compression fatigue test; Composite material; Weight; Penetration ballistics; Reinforced plate; Graphite fiber; Inelasticity; Chopped strand mat; Conical shape; High speed; Woven material; Gas gun; Glass fiber; Delamination; Impact test; Mechanical shock; Damaging
• ISSN: 0734-743X; 1879-3509
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijimpeng.2011.03.004

High velocity impact performance of glass reinforced polyester (GRP) resin composite plates with different type of reinforcement was investigated. The projectile used was a sharp tipped (30°) conical head with total length of 30 mm and shank length of 15 mm with weight of 9.74 g. Five different types of E-glass fiber reinforcement were used, including chopped strand mat (CSM), plain weave, satin weave, unidirectional and cross-ply unidirectional fiber reinforcements. A smooth barrel gas gun was used to conduct high velocity impact tests in the velocity range of 80–160 m/s. Composite plates with size of 15 cm × 15 cm were prepared in 3 and 6 mm thickness. Results showed higher ballistic limit velocity (velocity at which samples fully penetrated the target plates with zero residual velocity) for 3 mm GRP plates with cross-ply unidirectional reinforcement followed by unidirectional reinforcement and plain weave, the plates with satin weave and CSM reinforcements were almost in same level. The thicker specimens (6 mm), plates with plain weave reinforcement showed better ballistic performance towards sharp tipped conical projectile impact, followed by cross-ply unidirectional, satin weave, unidirectional and CSM reinforced plates. Experimentally determined ballistic limit velocity for all specimens correlate well with estimated ballistic limit values obtained in full perforation tests. Damage assessment conducted on all specimens indicated fiber tension and shear failure for thin-walled and sever delamination for the thick-walled specimens as the dominant failure modes.