Kinematics and dynamics of the ballistic impact behavior for an oil palm empty fruit bunch fiber reinforced bio-composite

Abstract

The ballistic impact behavior of oil empty fruit bunch fiber reinforced bio-composites was studied. Epoxy and polyester resins were used as the main material and were evaluated as a matrix to determine their capability. The ballistic test was performed using a 9 mm handgun and a jacketed hollow point round. A model based on kinematics and dynamics was used to calculate the decrease in velocity of the projectile with a constant deceleration. The energy lost during the impact was calculated based on the theory of kinetic energy. The epoxy bio-composite was able to hold a projectile more successfully than the polyester bio-composite at a certain penetration depth. The curve of the decrease in velocity for both of the resins was exponentially distributed. An 18% epoxy bio-composite was able to more successfully stop the projectile at a penetrative depth of 2.14 mm and was able to absorb all the kinetic energy generated (408 J).