Ballistic Tests of Epoxy Matrix Composites Reinforced with Arapaima Fish Scales

Abstract

Arapaima fish, also known as pirarucu in Amazonian region, has strong and hard scales for protection against predators. The objective of this work is to investigate the ballistic efficiency of epoxy matrix composites reinforced with arapaima fish scales as second layer in multilayer armor. Multilayered armor systems have been widely used as ballistic armor, due to the contribution of the mechanical properties each layer of the system make has to absorb the kinetic energy of a projectile. The first layer generates ceramic fragments after the projectile impact. The second layer formed by the composite under study retains the fragments of the projectile and the ceramic while the last layer made of an aluminum alloy absorbs the residual energy by means of plastic deformation of the aluminum. The tests were carried out on three reinforced composites with 30% arapaima scales, in which a penetrating into the target was measured at the deformation in a clay witness. A 7.62 mm ammunition was used. The results indicate that epoxy matrix composites reinforced with arapaima fish scales display a ballistic performance comparable to Kevlar and natural fiber composites as MAS second layer.