Experimental determination of linear and nonlinear mechanical properties of laminated soft composite material system

This study deals with the mechanical properties of soft polymeric composite laminates made with Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWP) fibers, often used for ballistic protection. Two new mechanical test setups, tensile and axial shear, are proposed to characterize the mechanical behavior of a laminated system made of the commercial Dyneema HB26 cross-ply multi-layered plates. The suitable tension setup is found to be close to a bow-tie like geometry while the axial shear is closer to a butterfly shape. The overall linear and nonlinear behaviors under both tension and shear are investigated. Microstructure of the fibers along with results from the mechanical tests, are used to calibrate a micromechanical model for this material system.