Experimental and numerical analysis of the impact behaviour of polycarbonate and polyurethane multilayer

The aim of this work is to validate a numerical model for monolithic polyca rbonate or polymeric multilayer material in order to adapt them to differen t impact conditions (type of threat, striking velocity and test temperature ). Thus, this paper deals with the experimental and numerical investigation s of PC plates impacted at velocities up to 400 m/s for a temperature range between -20 degrees C and 50 degrees C. In this context impact tests on 6 and 9.7 mm thick polycarbonate plates have been performed. A high speed cam era records the target profile during the interaction and the displacement history of the projectile. Photographs of impact on polycarbonate plates sh ow that rapture occurs either by petalling or plugging depending on the pro jectile striking velocity and on the target thickness. Numerical simulation s after fitting procedures agree well with the experimental results and sho w the temperature and polycarbonate thickness influence on the capacity to absorb the impact energy by plastic deformation.