Experimental and numerical study of resin permeation effect on ballistic behavior of fabric laminate

This study aims to identify the influence of resin permeation on ballistic responses of fabric laminates. According to experimental results, when the resin permeation degree was improved, the yarn mobility was greatly constrained due to increasing of the bonding force, and the specific energy absorption of laminates under ballistic impact was degraded in comparison with that of the neat fabric. Different resin permeation states in a single yarn and fabric were simulated through Finite Element (FE) modeling at a fiber-bundle level. For a given resin ratio of 15%, semi-permeation of resin in a single yarn was benefit for energy absorption due to even distribution of impact load at the early impact, but full-permeation of resin resulted in energy absorption degradation due to high stress concentration and premature failure. For laminate models, the yarn mobility was severely constrained not only by resin bonding but also by yarns interlacement. In comparison with the neat fabric, stress distribution area on laminates was decreased 30–70%. Yarns contribution to energy absorption was significantly reduced in particular for principal yarns. Such results indicated that perfect resin permeation in armor-grade composite played a negative effect on ballistic energy dissipation due to low material utilization efficiency.