PRELIMINARY STUDY ON THE PROCESS PARAMETERS AND BALLISTIC PROPERTIES OF UHMWPE FIBER COMPOSITE LAMINATES

In this paper, the influence of temperature on the tensile strength of the ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fiber strands which reinforce the UD75 composites is analyzed. The variation of ballistic absorption energy as well as the adhesive bonding force between layers, the thickness and density of laminates of UD75 composites with molding pressures is studied. The results show that the tensile strength of the UHMWPE fiber strands is greatly decreased when the temperature is higher than 123 ℃, and the ballistic absorption energy is up to the highest value when the molding pressure is about 12.5 MPa. The study results would be valuable for the proper preparation and optimum design of composite armors.