Graphene-Based Nanocomposites with Improved Mechanical and Ballistic Protection Properties

Body armour systems need to be improved for defeating new threats of asymmetric warfare and terrorism. Nowadays, new technologies like graphene-based nanocomposites constitute one of the most active research fields in high performance materials, due to the fact that this nanomaterial improves the properties of diverse polymers in a notable way. However, in the field of the application of these nanocomposites to improve the dynamic strength against supersonic impacts, experimental data are practically non-existent. Looking for improvements in this field, our research group has fabricated, following a similar procedure to that described in one of our previous patents, several laminated plates of graphene-based nanocomposites, composed of a polyester resin matrix doped with pristine few-layer graphene (FLG) and reinforced with a fibreglass woven fabric (FGRP), using doping percentages ranging between 0.25 and 1% in weight. The ballistic limit (V\( _{0}\)) of such plates against 7.62\(\,\times \,\)51 mm NATO FMJ ammunition, fired with an Accuracy International AW sniper rifle, has been investigated in accordance with the NATO STANAG 2920 standard. The tensile mechanical properties (tensile strength and Young’s modulus) and impact properties (Charpy impact strength) of the laminates were also characterised in accordance with UNE-EN ISO 527-4 and UNE-EN ISO 179-1 standards, respectively. The V\( _{0}\) increases with the increment of the graphene doping percentage, reaching a maximum value of 266.4 m s\(^{-1} \) at 1% w/w, which means an improvement of a 72.2% with regard to the undoped FRGP laminate. The graphene doped samples also showed better tensile and impact properties. These results support the viability of the development of new graphene-based nanocomposites with improved mechanical and ballistic protection properties for security and defence applications.