Computational analysis of projectile impact resistance on aluminium (A356) curvilinear surface reinforced with carbon nanotubes (CNTS) for applications in systems of protection

Computational tests for ballistic impact energy absorption were developed on A356/CNTs composite material with the goal of estimating the improvement of the material's mechanical properties by the contribution of the CNTs [1]. For the implementation of computational tests on the material exposed to projectile impact, A356/CNTs was configured by means of generalized Hooke's model for anisotropic materials [1] and Johnson-Cook's model was used to determine material failure and propagation of energy [2]. A curvilinear surface (semi-spheres on a plaque) with an area of 23x23 cm and thickness of 12 mm was elaborated to represent the composite material. The impact on surface was done with a 9 mm projectile and the surface was developed with 4.5 mm radium semi-spheres. It was used a 0.3% of nanotube insertions on the composite total volume. The results indicated the plaque stopped the impact without drilling. Incidence of damage to wearer, as well as possibility of composite material improvement and the diffusion/dispersion analysis on the curvilinear surface was also done.