Synthesis and modification of poly (p‐phenylene terephthalamide) for production of light‐weight hybrid composite armors reinforced with polymer composite nanofiber mats

Abstract Poly (p‐phenylene terephthalamide) (PPTA) polymer was synthesized and then modified to eliminate the processing difficulties arising from its insolubility in organic solvents. The chemical structures of the synthesized PPTA and N‐butyl PPTA (BPPTA) were confirmed by elemental analysis, x‐ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), and ¹³C‐NMR spectroscopy studies. As a result of modification, an aramid derivative that is soluble in some common solvents was obtained and added into polyacrylonitrile (PAN) matrix in solution. PAN/BPPTA composite nanofiber mats (CNMs) were fabricated by electrospinning. Mechanical tests showed that tensile strength increased by 119% with 3% BPPTA content. The fabricated CNMs were combined with aramid fabrics to produce laminated hybrid armors and ballistic tests were performed following the NATO Stanag 2920 standard. This is the first report about the integration of CNMs into multilayer armor configurations and resulted in improved ballistic limit velocity (V50) with a relatively very small weight gain and emergence of new energy absorption mechanisms. Highlights Alkylation of the para‐aramid yielded an organo‐soluble aramid derivative. Tensile strength of PAN nanofiber mat increased by 119% with 3% N‐butyl PPTA. Integration of the CNMs resulted in new ballistic impact absorption mechanisms. CNMs contribute to V50 with a very low mass gain due to their high surface area/mass.