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Title: Ballistic characterization of additively manufactured extrusion deposited thermoplastic composite plates

Journal Article · · Polymers and Polymer Composites
 [1];  [2];  [2];  [2]; ORCiD logo [3]
  1. Department of Chemistry and Mathematics, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, USA, Tickle College of Engineering, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, USA
  2. Manufacturing Sciences Division (MSD), Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Knoxville, TN, USA
  3. Tickle College of Engineering, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, USA, Manufacturing Sciences Division (MSD), Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Knoxville, TN, USA, The Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation, Knoxville, TN, USA

Additive manufacturing (AM) is rapidly emerging in high performance applications such as army ground vehicles, automotive and transportation. However, the response of AM parts/components to extreme loading such as high velocity impacts is less studied. In this work, the performance under ballistic impact of AM panels is evaluated using a medium velocity gas gun, generating projectile velocities up to 400 m/s. The preferential print orientation properties are considered in order to evaluate whether the panels exhibit isotropic or anisotropic behavior under impact. Surface morphology is investigated by milling the beads smooth on samples and comparing the impact on as-printed samples to those that are smoothed. The effect of nickel chromium micron (nichrome) wire embedded in the AM panels (during print) of polycarbonate-carbon fiber (PC-CF) and polycarbonate-glass fiber (PC-GF) are explored. Thermoplastic polyurethane-acrylonitrile butadiene styrene/carbon fiber (TPU-ABS/CF), Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene-carbon-fiber (ABS-CF) AM samples absorbed >50% of the impact energy. The ballistic performance was noted to be in the following order – ABS-CF > TPU-ABS/CF > PC. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was conducted to study the interface between the nichrome wire and the polymer-fiber matrix. This work is the first of its kind exploring into the capabilities of AM panels as ballistic materials. This study leads the way for developing AM panels that are easily manufactured and exhibit superior ballistic resistance.

Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
Grant/Contract Number:
EE0006926
OSTI ID:
2229193
Journal Information:
Polymers and Polymer Composites, Journal Name: Polymers and Polymer Composites Vol. 31; ISSN 0967-3911
Publisher:
SAGE PublicationsCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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