An Experimental Investigation of High Velocity Impact and Penetration Failure Modes in Textile Composites

The dynamic failure evolution of textile composites, which were subjected to impact velocities up to 1100 m/s, was investigated. Specialized machines were used to fabricate composites from combinations of Spectra®, Kevlara®, and Twaron® fibers and two- and three-dimensionally woven, braided, and needle-punched nonwoven fabrics. This control of fabrication and processing enabled us to characterize response as a function of areal density, fabric finish, and consolidation techniques. Failure was categorized in terms of material layers, debris mass, matrix cracking, fiber failure, and shear-plugging. Results indicate that shear-plugging occurs at velocities corresponding to decreases in debris mass.