Dynamic Failure Mechanisms in Woven Ceramic Fabric Reinforced Metal Matrix Composites During Ballistic Impact

Abstract

The complex interaction of dynamic stress waves during ballistic impact provides the opportunity to simultaneously observe the high strain rate loading response under various triaxialities including tension, compression, and shear. In this work the dynamic failure mechanisms of woven ceramic fabric reinforced aluminum metal matrix composites (MMC) during ballistic impact are experimentally investigated. In addition to experimental characterization, an orthotropic elastic-plastic constitutive model with hydrostatic pressure dependent yield is implemented in an explicit finite element code to quantify the stress states present during the progressive damage and failure of the MMC during the penetration and perforation process.