Resin/Dye Infusion Technique of Composite Integral Armor Targets for Post-Impact Study

摘要

A technique has been developed to study the interior fracture surfaces on alumina oxide ceramic tiles as well as the delamination zones of S-2 Glass laminates within ballistic-impacted composite integral armor (CIA) targets. The process is an alternative to other inspection methods used such as ultrasonic (C-scan) or x-ray (CAT-scan) for post-analysis of these impacted armor structures. A low viscosity resin mixed with a fluorescing dye was injected into the targets by means of the vacuum assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM) method. The fractured surfaces of the failed ceramic tiles and cavities created by the composite delamination and tile debonding were filled with the resin/dye mixture. The resin/dye mixture, which is trapped in between the layers of composites and damaged tiles, fluoresces naturally when exposed to a 'black light' or ultraviolet light source, as a result highlights the resin against the target components. Digital images of the cross-sections are compared under normal and black-lighting conditions.