Ballistic Impact of Braided Composites with a Soft Projectile

Impact tests using a soft gelatin projectile were performed to identify failure modes that occur at high strain energy density during impact loading. Failure modes were identified for aluminum plates and for composites plates and half-rings made from triaxial carbon fiber braid having a $0∕\pm 60°$ architecture. For aluminum plates, a large hole formed as a result of crack propagation from the initiation site at the center of the plate. For composite plates, fiber tensile failure occurred in the back ply at the center of the plate. Cracks then propagated from this site along the $\pm 60°$ fiber directions until triangular flaps opened to form a hole. For composite half-rings fabricated with 0° fibers aligned circumferentially, fiber tensile failure also occurred in the back ply. Cracks first propagated from this site perpendicular the 0° fibers. The cracks then turned to follow the $\pm 60°$ fibers and 0° fibers until rectangular flaps opened to form a hole. Damage in the composites was localized near the impact site, while cracks in the aluminum extended to the boundaries.