Experimental Penetration Investigation of Projectile in Fiber Metal Laminates (Glare)

In the present paper the penetration mechanism of the projectile in the fiber metal laminates are investigated experimentally. Glass/epoxy composite laminates and fiber metal laminates made from thin aluminum sheets and glass/epoxy composite in different thicknesses were fabricated with the use of hand layup method. Ballistic test were conducted on plates with the projectile velocity of 720 m/s. Steel plates were placed behind the composite and glare plates to measure the energy absorption capacity of them. With the use of an analytical- experimental method and measuring the deformation of the steel back plate after impact, the absorbed energy in composite and glare plates were determined. The energy absorption capacity of the composite and glare plates were compared. The results showed that in the same plate thicknesses, the energy absorption capacity of the glare plates are higher than composite plates. Finally with the help of experimental results an analytical method to estimate the required energy for penetration of the projectile into glare plates were developed.