Damage Modes of Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene Fiber Composite Plates under Ballistic Impact Conditions

doi:10.12382/bgxb.2024.0725

Abstract

Abstract:

Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) is widely used in the protective field due to its lightweight and exceptional mechanical properties,which can effectively resist projectile impacts.However,the micro-scale anti-penetration mechanism and ballistic impact damage modes of UHMWPE remain to be further investigated. This study focuses on two-dimensional woven and unidirectional (UD) UHMWPE composites,establishing a finite element analysis model for ballistic impacts that considers the microstructural characteristics of fiber-reinforced composites.Numerical simulations of normal and oblique penetration were conducted for composite targets with varying thicknesses and fiber layer counts,and the results were compared with experimental data to verify their reliability.Subsequently,the damage modes and energy absorption characteristics of the composite plates under different impact conditions were investigated.The results indicate that the damage modes of the composite plates are similar across different speeds,with lower speeds resulting in larger deformation areas and less energy absorption,reflecting a tendency for the material to experience extensive plastic deformation rather than localized brittle fracture under low-speed impacts.As the penetration angle decreases,the interaction time between the projectile and the target material significantly increases,enhancing energy transfer and absorption.This study not only delves into the ballistic impact mechanical response of UHMWPE composites,but also clarifies the damage modes and energy absorption mechanisms of the material under different impact conditions,providing a solid theoretical foundation for the design of composite plates with high-efficiency anti-penetration performance.

Key words: composite materials, impact dynamics, destruction mechanism, finite element simulation

ZHEN Hong, XIAO Lijun, DU Chengxin, SONG Weidong. Damage Modes of Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene Fiber Composite Plates under Ballistic Impact Conditions[J]. Acta Armamentarii, 2025, 46(7): 240725-.

Figures/Tables 24

Fig.1 Test specimen

Fig.2 Experimental setup diagram

Fig.3 Test Results

Fig.4 Impact process of UD plate

Fig.5 Impact process of plain weave fabric plate

Fig.6 Geometric model

Fig.7 Definition of yarn orientation

Table 1 Mechanical properties of UHMWPE materials[6,19]

参数	数值
密度ρ/(g·cm^-3)	0.97
1方向弹性模量E₁₁/GPa	152.88
2方向弹性模量E₂₂/GPa	1.5288
3方向弹性模量E₃₃/GPa	1.5288
泊松比ν₁₂	0.3
泊松比ν₁₃	0.3
泊松比ν₂₃	0.4
1-2方向剪切模量G₁₂/MPa	300
1-3方向剪切模量G₁₃/MPa	300
2-3方向剪切模量G₂₃/MPa	150
失效应力X_T/GPa	3.16

Table 2 Material parameters of cohesive units[24]

参数	数值
K_n/(N·mm^-3)	10⁶
K_s/(N·mm^-3)	10⁶
K_t/(N·mm^-3)	10⁶
N/MPa	62
S,T/MPa	110
G_nc/(N·mm^-1)	280
G_sc,G_tc/(N·mm^-1)	495

Fig.8 Comparison between UD plate experiments and simulations

Fig.9 Comparison between plain weave fabric plate experiments and simulations

Fig.10 Error comparison between experiments and numerical simulations

Fig.11 Comparison chart of normal penetration velocities

Fig.12 Comparison of oblique penetration experiments and simulations for plain weave fabric plate

Fig.13 Error comparison for oblique penetration of plain weave fabric plate

Fig.14 Comparison chart of oblique penetration velocities

Fig.15 Stress contour maps of 10-layer plain weave target plate under different velocities

Table 3 Comparison of residual velocity and energy absorption of 10-layer plain weave fabric plate

初速度/(m·s^-1)	剩余速度/(m·s^-1)	吸收能量/J	能量吸收率/%
350	332.9	26.04	9.5
600	583.4	43.81	5.4
850	831.9	67.89	4.21

Fig.16 Energy absorbed by different parts

Fig.17 Stress contour maps of 5mm UD target plate under different velocities

Table 4 Comparison of residual velocity and energy absorption of 5mm UD plate

初速度/(m·s^-1)	剩余速度/(m·s^-1)	吸收能量/J	能量吸收率/%
350	318.6	46.81	17.1
600	552.3	122	15.3
850	777.9	261.73	16.2

Fig.18 Energy absorbed by different parts

Fig.19 Damage modes under oblique penetration at different angles

Fig.20 Velocity-time curves under different incident angles

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