Ultrasonic Assessment of Bullet Inflicted Damage in Aramid Laminated Composites

Nityananda Nayak; A. Banerjee; D. Datta

doi:10.14429/dsj.62.1467

Nityananda Nayak Proof and Experimental Establishment, Chandipur
A. Banerjee Proof and Experimental Establishment, Chandipur
D. Datta Bengal Engineering and Science University, Shibpur

DOI: https://doi.org/10.14429/dsj.62.1467

Keywords: Ultrasonic C-scan, ballistic limit, impact velocity, damage pattern, composite

Abstract

Immersion type ultrasonic C-scan has been performed on Twaron-epoxy (T-E) and Twaron-polypropylene (T-PP) composite laminates impacted by 7.62 mm armor piercing (AP) projectile with different striking velocitiesto assess the bullet inflicted damage area. Square zones of size 72 mm by 72 mm around each impact area are subjected ultrasonic C-scan in pulse echo mode. Ultrasonic features are extracted and processed to estimate the damage area in the laminates due to each impact. The variation in internal damage area is correlated with ballistic properties of composite laminates. It is observed that in the similar range of impact velocity, the damage area is invariably higher in composites made from thermoplastic polypropylene (PP) resin compared to the thermoset epoxy resin. The internal damage area of impacted panel is found to decrease with increase in impact velocity for both the types of resin matrix which corroborated the trend in experimental ballistic curve. The internal damage area, however, increases substantially when shot lodging takes place inside the laminate below ballistic limit or upon excessive yawing.

Defence Science Journal, 2012, 62(1), pp.153-158, DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.14429/dsj.62.1467

Author Biographies

Nityananda Nayak, Proof and Experimental Establishment, Chandipur

Dr N. Nayak, obtained his MSc (Chemistry) from Utkal University, Bhubaneswar, MTech (Materials Science and Engg.) from IIT, Mumbai and PhD in Chemistry (Materials science) from Fakir Mohan university, Balasore. He is presently working as Scientist-F and heading the Test and Evaluation Division at Proof and Experimental Establishment (PXE), Chandipur. His areas of work include: Dynamic test and evaluation of all types conventional armaments and ballistic evaluation of armour materials.

A. Banerjee, Proof and Experimental Establishment, Chandipur

Mr Arkadeb Banerjee obtained his BE in Mechanical Engg from BE College, Shibpur, West Bengal. Currently persuing his doctoral research from Jadavpur University, Kolkata. Presently working as Scientist D in Test and Evaluation Group of PXE, Chandipur. His areas of research include: Dynamic evaluation of MBT Arjun armaments, armours, and numerical modelling of ballistic impact of armours.

D. Datta, Bengal Engineering and Science University, Shibpur

Dr D. Datta obtained his Bachelor and Master degrees in Mechanical Engineering, from Jadavpur University, in 1984 and 1986, respectively. And PhD (Mechanical Engineering) from Indian Institute of
Technology, Kanpur, in 1996. Presently working as Professor and Head of Mechanical Engg Department of BESU, Shibpur, Howrah. His areas of research include: Ultrasonic NDE and composite materials.

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Ultrasonic Assessment of Bullet Inflicted Damage in Aramid Laminated Composites

Abstract

Author Biographies

References

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