Mechanical and ballistic characterization of high-density polyethylene composites reinforced with alumina and silicon carbide particles

Bruno Figueira de Abreu Ferreira CARDOSO; Flávio James Humberto Tommasini Vieira RAMOS; Pedro Henrique Poubel Mendonça da SILVEIRA; Anthony Garotinho Barros Assed Matheus de OLIVEIRA; André Ben-Hur da Silva FIGUEIREDO; Alaelson Vieira GOMES; Valdir Florêncio da VEIGA-JUNIOR

doi:10.55713/jmmm.v32i2.1262

Authors

Bruno Figueira de Abreu Ferreira CARDOSO Military Institute of Engineering - IME, Praça General Tibúrcio, 80, Praia Vermelha, Urca, 22290-270, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
Flávio James Humberto Tommasini Vieira RAMOS Instituto de Macromoléculas Professora Eloisa Mano, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Avenida Horácio Macedo, 2030 – Centro de Tecnologia, Bloco J, Ilha do Fundão, 21941-598, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
Pedro Henrique Poubel Mendonça da SILVEIRA Military Institute of Engineering - IME, Praça General Tibúrcio, 80, Praia Vermelha, Urca, 22290-270, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
Anthony Garotinho Barros Assed Matheus de OLIVEIRA Military Institute of Engineering - IME, Praça General Tibúrcio, 80, Praia Vermelha, Urca, 22290-270, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
André Ben-Hur da Silva FIGUEIREDO Military Institute of Engineering - IME, Praça General Tibúrcio, 80, Praia Vermelha, Urca, 22290-270, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
Alaelson Vieira GOMES Military Institute of Engineering - IME, Praça General Tibúrcio, 80, Praia Vermelha, Urca, 22290-270, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
Valdir Florêncio da VEIGA-JUNIOR Military Institute of Engineering - IME, Praça General Tibúrcio, 80, Praia Vermelha, Urca, 22290-270, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55713/jmmm.v32i2.1262

Keywords:

Ballistic resistance, Mechanical properties, DOP, HDPE, Alumina

Abstract

This article explores the ballistic and mechanical performance of HDPE matrix composites reinforced with alumina and silicon carbide particles, to be used as lightweight body armor. After processing, the composites were evaluated by tensile tests, Izod impact, and Shore D hardness. In addition, depth of penetration (DOP) and energy absorption tests were performed with chronograph simulating .22 ammunition in the ballistic test. Samples A80 and A70 had the lowest DOP result (15.98 and 17.98 mm respectively) indicating that these samples had the best ballistic performance. Mechanical tests performed on samples A00, A40, A50, and A60 showed that the deformation and tensile strength were reduced with the addition of ceramic reinforcement. Impact resistance also decreased. Shore D hardness showed a considerable increase in hardness of A40, A50, and A60 compared to A00.

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