Analysis of parameters affecting bullet penetration resistance on ceramic armor plates in combination with metal armor plates using finite element methodology
Abstract:
The purpose of this research was to analyze the parameters affecting the penetration resistance of bullets onto bulletproof armor plates. The finite element method was used to analyze the damage patterns of ceramic and metal armor plates according to the NIJ Level 3 standard. The design and analysis of two armor plates consisted of two distinct materials: the first plate, also known as the front plate which the bullet hit and which was made of 95% pure alumina material; and the second plate composed of 7075 T6 aluminum material. The ANSYS Explicit/Dynamic program adopted the finite element method as an analysis tool. The 6, 8, and 10 mm armor plate thicknesses were the main parameters. The Johnson-Holmquist (JH-2) damage theory was employed in the analysis process since 95% of the alumina material is
considered to be hard and brittle. The 7.62x51mm tungsten carbide bullet was used in the finite element method simulation under the damage model of the Johnson-Holmquist Failure Model. For the 7075 T6 aluminum material, a damage model called the Steinberg-Guinan Strength Model was designated for application in the analysis. Under conditions of large deformation, high strain rate, and high temperature, the Johnson-Cook stress model was used to anticipate the analytical results from a bullet firing at a speed of 850 meters per second according to the NIJ 3 standard. Based on the analysis, the armor could not withstand the armor penetration of the bullet, but it might significantly reduce the speed of the shot. Additionally, when the alumina and aluminum armor plates were stacked at a thickness of 6 millimeters each, the alumina plate could destroy the bullet heads; and the aluminum plate served its function of absorbing energy and preventing bullet movement through the armor plate. There was consistency between the damage patterns discovered using the experimental and finite
element methods. Therefore, a finite element model was obtained for further development of ceramic armor plates in combination with metal armor plates.