Response of E-glass/Epoxy and Dyneema® Composite Laminates Subjected to low and High Velocity Impact

Energy absorption of two different types of composite laminates i.e. glass composite (E-glass/epoxy) and ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) (Dyneema®) laminates were studied under low and high velocity impact. Instrumented drop weight impact tester was used for low velocities and sub machine carbine (SMC) gun was used for high velocity impact. Failure behaviour of both E-glass/epoxy and dyneema laminates during impact was studied and results of the energy absorption of the tested composite laminates have been presented. Dyneema laminates showed 2 times higher energy absorption than E-glass/epoxy laminate under high velocity impact. However, both the laminates have showed higher energy absorption at high velocity impact as compared to low velocity impact. Failure analysis on impacted laminates reveals that the E-glass/epoxy laminate undergoes elastic deformation, delamination and brittle failure of fibres, whereas dyneema laminates undergo plastic deformation and associated tensile stretching of fibres. The results obtained from this study bear significance in the development of light weight add-on and structural composite armours for the real time applications.