Experimental investigation of FML reinforced nanoclay under high velocity impact of steel spherical projectile

This paper experimentally investigated high velocity impact on basalt reinforced aluminum laminate with nanoclay. The FML plate is made of two Aluminum 2024 facing sheets and basalt/epoxy/nanoclay as nano composite core. Nano composite section has been composed of four basalt fibers 300 g/m2, resin EPR1080, hardener EA1080 and nanoclay Bentonite B0109 dispersed into the epoxy system in a 0%, 1%, 3% and 5% ratio in weight with respect to the matrix. All panels are fabricated using Hand Lay-up method. Ultrasonic device was also used for homogenization and better dispersion of nanoclay in epoxy matrix. Ballistic tests were conducted using Gas Gun at the velocity of 205, 220 and 235 m/s. The results of the ballistic impact experiments show that the addition of nanoclay particles to the structure of this type of FMLs significantly increases the ballistic velocity and energy absorption. Also, the optimum addition rate of these nanoparticles has been 3% of mass compared to the resin; so addition of this amount of nanoclay particles increases the average of ballistic limit velocity and absorbed energy by 6.85% and 14.1%, respectively.