Ballistic performance of sandwich panels made of wood/plastic/metal and woven glass fiber

Abstract

This study investigated the ballistic properties of oriented strand board panels supported by different proportions of woven glass fiber and waste polypropylene. In the ballistic tests, galvanized metal plates of three different thicknesses (M1, M2, and M3) were used to absorb the initial velocity of the projectile. The materials forming the ballistic panel were arranged using the hand lay-up method. The waste polypropylene plates were melted on the upper and lower surfaces of the lay-up forming the panel. Production conditions were applied at 170‒175°C and 3.5‒4.0 N/mm2 for 10 min. Ballistic tests were performed on the panels according to the Level IIA category of the US National Institute of Justice standard. As a result of the ballistic test firing, the ballistic panel consisting of 1.5-mm-thick metal plate, 50 woven glass fibers, and OSB exhibited the best strength. As a result of the study, it was determined that the mechanical properties of the material that absorbed the initial velocity of the projectile were effective in the ballistic performance of the panels.