Perforation resistance of aluminum/polyethylene sandwich structure

• Published in: Materials & design 2016-06, Vol.100, p.92-101
• Main Authors: Xu, Ming-ming, Huang, Guang-yan, Feng, Shun-shan, Qin, Xiang-yu, McShane, G.J., Stronge, W.J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aluminum base alloys; Bulging; Failure mechanisms; Finite element method; Impact response; Interlayers; Laminates; Perforation; Polyethylene; Polyethylenes; Projectiles; Sandwich structure; Sandwich structures
• ISSN: 0264-1275; 1873-4197
• DOI: 10.1016/j.matdes.2016.03.090

Ballistic tests were performed on two types of polyethylene core sandwich structures (AA6082/LDPE/AA6082 and AA6082/UHMWPE/AA6082) to investigate their perforation resistance. Bulging and dishing deformation of layered plates were compared under low-velocity impact by hemispherical-nosed projectiles. Different impact failure mechanisms leading to perforation were revealed for laminates composed of a pair of aluminum alloy face sheets separated by a polyethylene interlayer. Using the finite element code Abaqus/Explicit, the perforation behavior and distribution of energy dissipation of each layer during penetration were simulated and analysed. The deformation resistance and anti-penetration properties of polyethylene core sandwich structures were compared with those of monolithic AA6082-T6 plates that had the same areal density. Although the polyethylene interlayer enlarged the plastic deformation zone of the back face, the polyethylene core sandwich structure was a little less effective than the monolithic Al alloy target at resisting hemispherical-nosed projectile impact. [Display omitted] •Ballistic resistances of polyethylene sandwich targets were compared by experiments and simulations.•Ballistic limits of sandwich targets were 21% less than monolithic Al targets.•The polyethylene core contributed 21% of the total dissipated energy during projectile penetration.•16% more energy dissipated by Al back sheet in sandwich targets than Al back sheet.