Laser-Induced Damage of UHMW-PE-Based Layered Ballistic Materials

The laser-induced damage threshold properties of material structures play a key role in identifying and selecting optimum materials with the respective geometric configurations for laser shielding applications. The laser-induced damage mechanism is predominantly influenced by the absorption, thermal conductivity, and transition temperature characteristics of the materials. Ultrahigh-molecular weight polyethylene (UHMW-PE) ballistic composite sheet structures, traditionally employed for conventional ballistic purposes, merit examination for their laser shielding capabilities, leveraging their established use in conventional shielding applications. These materials can be configured into the desired geometries along with layer structures. In this study, we conducted both numerical modeling and experimental investigations to assess and analyze the laser-induced damage mechanism in layered UHMW-PE material structures. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that both numerical modeling and experimental investigations have been conducted to assess and analyze the laser-induced damage mechanisms in such layered UHMW-PE material structures for high-power laser exposure. Our laser-material interaction model takes into account the optical, thermal, and structural properties of such layered UHMW-PE composite materials. Our model-based numerical calculations consistently align with experimental results, providing validated analysis of the laser-induced damage mechanism concerning layered structure geometries, optical power, and density (i.e., up to 5 kW at 1075 nm wavelength), as well as revealing nonlinear behavior in certain cases.