Improving Ballistic Performance of Polyurethane Foam by Nanoparticle Reinforcement. (26th January 2010)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Uddin, M. F.; Mahfuz, H.; Zainuddin, S.; Jeelani, S.
• Other Names: Antony Simon Joseph Academic Editor.
• Is Part Of: Journal of nanotechnology. Volume 2009(2009)
• Publication Date: 2010-01-26
• Subjects: Nanotechnology -- Periodicals; Nanotechnology; Nanotechnology; Periodicals; Periodicals; 620.5
• DOI: 10.1155/2009/794740
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1687-9503

Abstract

Abstract : We report improving ballistic performance of polyurethane foam by reinforcing it with nanoscale TiO 2 particles. Particles were dispersed through a sonic cavitation process and the loading of particles was 3 wt% of the total polymer. Once foams were reinforced, sandwich panels were made and impacted with fragment simulating projectiles (FSPs) in a 1.5-inch gas gun. Projectile speed was set up to have complete penetration of the target in each experiment. Test results have indicated that sandwich with nanophased cores absorbed about 20% more kinetic energy than their neat counterpart. The corresponding increase in ballistic limit was around 12% over the neat control samples. The penetration phenomenon was also monitored using a high-speed camera. Analyses of digital images showed that FSP remained inside the nanophased sandwich for about 7 microseconds longer than that of a neat sandwich demonstrating improved energy absorption capability of the nanoparticle reinforced core. Failure modes for energy absorption have been investigated through a microscope and high-speed images.