The energy absorption characteristics and structural optimization of titanium/UHMWPE fiber metal laminates under high-speed impact

• Published in: International journal of impact engineering Vol. 195; p. 105097
• Main Authors: Wu, Yiding, Lu, Wencheng, Yu, Yilei, Ma, Minghui, GAO, Guangfa
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.01.2025
• Subjects: Failure mechanism; Fiber metal laminates; Impact behavior; Progressive damage analysis; Failure mechanism; Fiber metal laminates; Impact behavior; Progressive damage analysis
• ISSN: 0734-743X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijimpeng.2024.105097

•Conducted high-speed impact tests on fiber metal laminates (FMLs) composed of titanium and UHMWPE within a velocity range of 915.7 – 1290.6 m per second.•The study detailed the transformation of damage modes in FMLs due to changes in velocity, particularly focusing on the primary failure modes of the fibers and the perforation and tearing patterns of the titanium alloy.•Established and validated a three-dimensional numerical model that was confirmed through a combination of theoretical analysis and experimental data, capable of accurately simulating the behavior of FMLs under high-speed impact.•Further explored the dynamic response and energy distribution mechanisms of FMLs.•Placing the metal layer at the back enhances energy absorption efficiency, but this configuration increases the degree of material bulging. Fiber-metal laminates (FMLs), known for their lightweight and high strength, are widely used in structural protection in the fields of shipbuilding, military, and aerospace. Experiments were conducted using 12.7 mm hard spherical projectiles at speeds ranging from 915.7 – 1290 6 m per second to study the high-speed impact on FMLs composed of titanium and Ultra-high Molecular Weight Polyethylene(UHMWPE). The primary failure modes of the fibers were tensile failure and compressive shear failure. With increasing impact velocity, the proportion of tensile failures in the fibers gradually decreased, transitioning to shear plug failure as the main failure mode, while the titanium alloy primarily experienced erosive perforation and petal-shaped tearing. At a speed of 1290 6 m/s, the titanium alloy began to exhibit significant adiabatic shear tearing in four directions. Further, a three-dimensional numerical model was established, which, through theoretical analysis and experimental validation, proved to be highly reliable. Using this theoretical model, a deeper analysis of the dynamic response and penetration mechanism of the structure was conducted, explaining the energy distribution mechanism and dynamic response mechanisms of various parts. Based on this model, improvements and optimizations were made to the laminar structure of the UHMWPE/titanium alloy FML. Placing metal at the back maximized energy absorption but led to more pronounced bulging.