Stress wave attenuation in composites during ballistic impact

Experimental studies are presented on stress wave attenuation during ballistic impact for four types of polymer matrix composites. The materials considered are plain weave E-glass/epoxy, 8H satin weave T300 carbon/epoxy and two types of hybrid composite made using plain weave E-glass fabric and 8H satin weave T300 carbon fabric with epoxy resin. Strain profiles were obtained during ballistic impact event at certain distances from the point of impact. There is stress wave attenuation leading to reduction in peak strains obtained as the stress wave propagates away from the point of impact. Further, it is observed that ballistic limit velocity, V₅₀, can be increased compared to carbon only composites by adding E-glass layers to T300 carbon layers.