Experimental investigation on novel ultra lightweight polymeric composite for strategic applications

This investigation highlights performance of thermoplastic polymeric composite under ballistic trials. The efficiency of para-aramid fiber reinforced Linear Low-Density Polyethylene (LLDPE) polymeric composite was compared with para-aramid fiber reinforced Polyether Ketone Ketone (PEKK). Tensile test of LLDPE and PEKK was carried out to analyze the plastic deformation and toughness of the polymers. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) test was conducted to determine the melting temperature of both the polymers. From this experiment, T m was recorded 306°C for PEKK, whereas T m of LLDPE was recorded 121°C. To justify the strength of para-aramid fiber when it is exposed to different elevated temperatures a single fiber tensile test (SFTT) was conducted and compared. For the ballistic trial in total 6 composite panels were fabricated with LLDPE and para-aramid fiber (i) 20 layers, (ii) 25 layers, (iii) 30 layers, (iv) 35 layers, (v) 40 layers, and (vi) 45 layers. All the composite panels were successfully tested with NIJ level III A standard with 9 mm handgun bullet with the speed of 430 m/s from a distance of 5 m. Damage mechanism of the composites were analyzed by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). This study appears to be novel not only for ballistic application but also for structural application.