Dynamic and ballistic impact behavior of biocomposite armors made of HDPE reinforced with chonta palm wood (Bactris gasipaes) microparticles

The mechanical behavior of chonta palm wood (Bactris gasipaes) microparticles reinforced high density polyethylene (HDPE) under high strain-rate compressive and ballistic impact loading were investigated. The palm wood microparticles were introduced into the HDPE via an extrusion process using parallel twin screw extruder to produce biocomposite containing 10, 20, 25, and 30 wt % chonta wood microparticles. In addition to mechanical tests, fractographic analysis was done to understand the failure mechanism in the biocomposites under dynamic and ballistic impact loads. The results indicate that both quasi-static and dynamic mechanical properties of HDPE are enhanced by reinforcement with chonta palm wood particles. The biocomposites containing 25 wt % wood microparticles exhibited the highest strength, stiffness, ballistic impact resistance and impact energy absorption capability. Introduction of microparticles of chonta palm wood as reinforcement into a polymeric matrix such as HDPE is therefore a promising method to develop biocomposites with enhanced capacity to withstand dynamic impact loading and absorb impact energy.