Study on ballistic penetration behavior of unidirectional <scp>UHMWPE</scp>/carbon fiber composites: Experiments and numerical modeling

Abstract Hybrid fiber reinforced composites leverage the advantages of various material properties to enhance ballistic protection efficiency. This paper investigates the ballistic penetration behavior of UHMWPE and UHMWPE/carbon fiber reinforced composites. By conducting ballistic experiments and finite element simulations, the failure behaviors of bulletproof composites are analyzed. Continuum models and mesoscale models were established to predict the V‐50 and impact damage of composites. The mesoscale model includes the geometric shapes of fibers and matrix, fiber volume fraction and failure behavior. Compared with experimental results, the mesoscale model predicted the V‐50 with a minimum deviation of 3%. The main damage patterns, including fiber breakage, matrix cracking and delamination, are displayed in the post‐impact morphology and models of bulletproof composites. Mesoscale models are used to describe energy dissipation and microstructure behavior, while homogenized continuum models are employed to observe macroscopic damage. Both simulations and experiments indicated that the overall structure and inherent properties affect stress transfer, damage mode and energy dissipation mechanisms during bullet impact processes. The combination of both two models deepens the understanding of the ballistic performance and damage evolution of fiber composites, providing novel insights for improving ballistic performance in fiber composites. Highlights Uniform continuous model and the mesoscale model were combined to explore the impact damage. Analysis of the energy consumption of each component in a ballistic impact. Effect of hybrid construction on impact performance.