Analysis of impact energy absorption by lightweight aramid structures

This paper presents and analyses the behaviour of aramid composite plates subjected to low and medium impact energies. In order to study the material behaviour under impact loading, experimental tests have been performed using a drop-weight tower and a pneumatic gas gun within the range of impact energies (20 J< E-i(mP) < 600 J). The plates are impacted by hemispherical impactor and spherical projectile for drop-weight and impact tests, respectively. The influence of areal density is also evaluated in terms of absorption energy. Energy Profile Diagrams (EPD) are used to identify the penetration and perforation thresholds enabling the definition of the nopenetration, penetration and perforation zones. The results revealed that there is a greater energy absorption capacity in thin plate than in thick plate for low impact energy values. However, areal density is relevant in the energy absorption capacity for high impact energy values.