Epoxy-glass Microballoon Syntactic Foams for Blast Mitigating Applications

  • A.V. Ullas Department of Applied Chemistry and Polymer Technology, Delhi Technological University, Delhi -110 042
  • P. K. Sharma DRDO-Centre for Fire, Explosive and Environment Safety, Delhi -110 054
  • P. Chandel DRDO-Terminal Ballistic Research Laboratory, Chandigarh - 160 003
  • P. Sharma DRDO-Terminal Ballistic Research Laboratory, Chandigarh - 160 003
  • D. Kumar DRDO-Terminal Ballistic Research Laboratory, Chandigarh - 160 003
  • D. Kumar Department of Applied Chemistry and Polymer Technology, Delhi Technological University, Delhi -110 042
  • P. K. Roy DRDO-Centre for Fire, Explosive and Environment Safety, Delhi -110 054
Keywords: Syntactic foams, High strain rate, Blast load, Shock tube

Abstract

Polymeric syntactic foams refer to a class of cellular material created using preformed hollow spheres bound together with a polymeric matrix. These cellular materials possess exceptional ability to respond against high impact dynamic loads. This paper is an attempt to fabricate polymeric syntactic foams of epoxy containing hollow glass microballoon at varying loading (40 % - 60 %) and explore their potential towards blast mitigation. The tensile, compressive and flexural strength were found to be inversely proportional to the microballoon loading in the quasi-static regime. The strain rate sensitivity of the foams was confirmed by performing high strain rate studies using split hopkinson pressure bar. The flow stress of these foams was found to increase with increasing strain rates. The syntactic foams were subjected to controlled transient blast loadings using a shock tube. The samples remained intact and no strain was observed on the strain gauge, even under a blast load of ~ 90 psi, which clearly highlight their potential as core materials for blast mitigating applications.

Author Biographies

A.V. Ullas, Department of Applied Chemistry and Polymer Technology, Delhi Technological University, Delhi -110 042
Mr A.V. Ullas is a doctoral research fellow in Department of Applied Chemistry & Polymer Technology, Delhi Technological University. His research interests include development of polymeric syntactic foams for blast mitigating applications.
P. K. Sharma, DRDO-Centre for Fire, Explosive and Environment Safety, Delhi -110 054
Mr Pankaj Sharma joined DIAT, Pune in the year 2002. He is presently working as Scientist ‘E’ in CFEES, DRDO.
P. Chandel, DRDO-Terminal Ballistic Research Laboratory, Chandigarh - 160 003
Mr Prince Chandel is working as Scientist ‘E’ in Terminal Ballistic research laboratory, DRDO.
P. Sharma, DRDO-Terminal Ballistic Research Laboratory, Chandigarh - 160 003
Mr Prince Sharma is working as Scientist ‘E’ in Terminal Ballistic research laboratory, Chandigarh, DRDO.
D. Kumar, DRDO-Terminal Ballistic Research Laboratory, Chandigarh - 160 003
Mr Devendra Kumar is working as Scientist ‘C’ in Terminal Ballistic research laboratory, DRDO.
D. Kumar, Department of Applied Chemistry and Polymer Technology, Delhi Technological University, Delhi -110 042
Prof. D. Kumar is presently heading the Biotechnology department in DTU. He has vast research experience in the field of conducting polymers, polymer composites, etc. Dr. D.Kumar has to his credit over 170 research papers in elite journals.
P. K. Roy, DRDO-Centre for Fire, Explosive and Environment Safety, Delhi -110 054
Dr Prasun Kumar Roy joined DRDO in the year 2000 and is presently working as Scientist ‘F’ in CFEES. His areas of research include development of polymeric coatings, syntactic foams and degradable polymers.
Published
2018-03-13
How to Cite
Ullas, A., Sharma, P., Chandel, P., Sharma, P., Kumar, D., Kumar, D., & Roy, P. (2018). Epoxy-glass Microballoon Syntactic Foams for Blast Mitigating Applications. Defence Science Journal, 68(2), 210-217. https://doi.org/10.14429/dsj.68.12048
Section
Materials Science & Metallurgy