Publication

Abstract :

This investigation highlights rationale of carbon fibre, para-aramid fibre and Polyphenylene Benzobisoxazole (PBO) fibre essentially for ballistic application. In order to find the most appropriate fibre especially for ballistic application, a single fibre tensile test (SFTT) was carried out to evaluate the characteristics under tensile load. Similarly, mechanical properties of PEKK polymeric film was carried out by tensile test. The composite was made under compression moulding with processing temperature of 310°C and pressure of 2 bar. All the composite panels investigated in this research were fabricated by stacking film method and bullet tests were carried out according to National Institute of Justice (NIJ) level IIIA standard. Bullet was fired with 9 mm handgun bullet with a speed of 430 m/sec and from a distance of 5 m. After the bullet test, scanning electron microscopic (SEM) image was taken to evaluate the type of fracture in the fibre whether it is a ductile of brittle failure. 60 layers of carbon fibre reinforced PEKK composite and 20 layers’ para-aramid fibre reinforced PEKK composite was not able to stop the 9 mm bullet rather it was completely perforated. However, 45 layers of para-aramid fibre reinforced PEKK composite and 20 layers of PBO fibre reinforced PEKK composite was able to stop the 9 mm bullet successfully. Based on all experiment results that were carried out in this study, it can be concluded that PBO fibre reinforced PEKK (PBO/PEKK) composite is the best suitable composite for ballistic application in terms of performance and weight.