Simulation study of the protective performance of composite structure carbon fiber bulletproof board

Ceramic composite bulletproof armor is composed of hard ceramic and metal or fiber composite back plate and used as lightweight, protective armor to prevent the penetration of high-speed projectiles, such as armor-piercing projectiles. Presently, ceramic composite bulletproof armor has been a research hotspot in military protection. Alumina, boron carbide, silicon carbide, and silicon nitride are commonly used as hard ceramic materials in ceramic composite bulletproof armor systems to resist projectile impact. High-performance fibers, particularly carbon and ultrahigh-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fibers, are combined to improve the deformation resistance of the ceramic layer. Carbon fiber is a high-quality fiber with high specific strength and specific modulus. Carbon fiber plays an important role in ensuring the protection stability of ceramic bulletproof plates. The energy absorption process and absorption mechanism of ceramic composite bulletproof armor are complex at the moment of resisting projectile penetration. The simulation of the projectile penetration under different experimental conditions has always been the focus of bulletproof armor research. To address the core problem that the interfacial debonding between fiber and matrix determines energy absorption, a series of standard adhesion parameters are adopted to adjust the interfacial adhesion force of composite plates, and the interfacial delamination process is simulated based on the interfacial adhesion behavior and damage parameters. Simultaneously, using ABAQUS/Explicit, a high-speed impact damage analysis model of the ceramic/fiber composite bulletproof plate was established. Based on the analysis of the initial and residual velocities of the projectile, we investigated the relationship between structural components of the composite bulletproof plate, fiber performance, laminated layer structures, and resistance to penetration. Combined with the von Mises stress and matrix damage nephograms, the stress and damage forms of the composite bulletproof plate were discussed. Finally, the accuracy of the model was verified through ballistic impact experiments. The experimental results showed that the bulletproof plate composed of 13 mm SiC ceramic, 5 mm carbon fiber composite, and 17 mm UHMWPE composite effectively prevented the penetration of projectile and exhibited evident effects on the absorption of the kinetic energy of the projectile and the attenuation of projectile velocity.