Investigation on energy absorption efficiency of each layer in ballistic armour panel for applications in hybrid design

This study aims to reveal different energy absorption efficiency of each layer when armour panel is under ballistic impact. Through Finite Element (FE) modelling and ballistic tests, it is found that when fabrics are layered up in a panel, energy absorption efficiency is only 30%–60% of an individual fabric layer with free boundary condition. In addition, fabric layers in front, middle, and back exhibit different ballistic characteristics. Therefore, a new hybrid design principle has been proposed. A multilayer panel can be divided into three groups. Two hybrid panels that are combined different Twaron fabrics and Dyneema UD laminates are designed. Ballistic tests results show that for a given areal density of the panel, BFS behind the hybrid panel decreases 31.54% than that of the woven fabric panel. When the areal density of armour panel is reduced, the hybrid panel is more likely to stop the projectile. These findings provide a guide for hybrid design of ballistic armour panel.