Research Projects

With the development and maturity of ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fibres, the body armour sector, which has been dominated by aramid fiber-based solutions over the previous three decades, is drawing greater attention to UHMWPE fibres. Compared to aramid fibre, UHMWPE fibre has a strength-to-weight ratio of around 40% higher. However, UHMWPE fibre also has drawbacks when employed in a ballistic protection system, including low creep resistance, low melting temperature (144-152 °C), and poor fibre adherence to the polymer matrix due to its smooth surface and absence of polar groups in its structure. Poor bonding of UHMWPE fibre with various polymer resins reduces impact resistance due to severe intra- and interlaminar delamination and localized deformation of the composite against projectile impact. The reduction in energy absorption is further magnified at higher velocities due to localized deformation and fibre softening/melting near the impact site. To overcome these challenges a cost-effective and commercially viable solution is proposed here. Surface-modified graphene oxide will be used simultaneously, to improve the stiffness and thermal resistance of polyurethane resin as well as to modify the surface characteristics of UHMWPE fibre through the patented ultrasonically assisted electrophoretic deposition (EPD) technique. The treated UHMWPE fibre will be systematically stacked with reinforced polyurethane resin to develop a hybrid laminated composite panel. The flat composite panels will be characterized to determine the micro and macro mechanical properties of the laminated structures to develop an orthotropic material model. In addition, the developed composite panels will be investigated against impact velocities between 300 - 500 m/s to assess their energy absorption capabilities following the introduction of surface-modified graphene oxide at both the fiber surface and the resin system. Post-impact failure analysis will be done through optical techniques to understand the in-depth damage mechanism of flat composite panels. In continuation, a 3-dimensional finite element (FEM) framework of the hybrid laminated composite panels will be developed to predict the detailed failure mechanism against the high-velocity impact. Finally, the validated computer model will be utilized to design the curved composite panels, which can be practically used in personal and vehicle armor. Consequently, the proposed work will provide a combined experimental and numerical approach to predict the optimal design parameter for developing lightweight ballistic armor with enhanced survivability, which would otherwise be a cumbersome and expensive task through experiment alone.