Mechanical and Ballistic Performance of Composites Containing Aramid/ EVA /Graphene‐Clay Nanostructured HDPE Laminates

ABSTRACT

Aramid fibers are extensively utilized in personal protective equipment owing to their lightweight and superior properties. This study proposes a novel composite structure comprising aramid fabric, EVA hotmelt films, and graphene‐clay nanostructured HDPE laminate, totalizing 20 repeated layers (aramid/EVA/HDPE/EVA/aramid). The composites were hot‐pressed molded, showing thickness differences of up to 8% among all composites studied. V50 impact test showed values that lie within the range 343–368 m/s for 9 mm and 355–379 m/s for 0.357 Magnum. For both conditions, the values were lower than the ones found in literature (450–550 m/s for 9 mm and 420–500 m/s for 0.357 Magnum). Backface Signature (BFS) showed values lower than 21.5 mm for HDPE and all composites studied (a value of 13.58 mm was found for composites containing 1.50 wt% graphene). To avoid lethal or severe trauma, values lower than 44 mm are recommended, according to NIJ 0101.06 standard. Other mechanical tests, such as Izod impact, short‐beam, flexural strength, and Split‐Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB), were also studied.