Assessment of Mechanical and Ballistic Performance of Aramid-Based Composite Materials Reinforced with Graphene

Abstract

The main purpose of this research is the impact of graphene nanoparticle reinforcement on ballistic protection of composites and to investigate the ballistic and mechanical properties of these products. In this context nanocomposite ballistic plates were obtained by reinforcing different amounts of graphene to aramid-based composite plates after some processes. To characterize the graphene, several analyses were performed. Characteristic peaks were obtained by performing FTIR (Fourier Transform InFrared). Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Raman analyzes on graphene nanoplatelets used in the experimental study. Ballistic plates reinforced with graphene nanoplatelets and non-reinforced plates were subjected to shooting tests in the ballistic test laboratory in accordance with the NIJ (National Institute of Justice) standard and the test results were compared. As a result of the shooting tests, successful results were not achieved with ballistic plates reinforced with graphene and epoxy resin, except for one plate. This outcome was attributed to the negative impact of epoxy resin on the flexibility and energy absorption properties of the aramid layers. From a mechanical properties perspective, it was observed that the ultimate tensile strength of the samples with 0.5% and 1% by weight graphene increased.