FURI | Spring 2019

Effects of Pressure on the Volumetric Response (Compressibility) of Elastomers During Ballistic and Dynamic Loading

An important homeland security mission is protecting personnel and infrastructure from dynamic loading. While protective systems are available, improvements on their performance will save lives and infrastructure. Elastomer coatings have shown abilities to dissipate dynamic loading, which depend strongly on their dynamic response. Polyurea, is a promising elastomer for these applications, but how its compressibility changes as a function of pressure is not well known. This is investigated by high-speed impact tests using a gas gun and a laser velocimeter. The data collected from these experiments will be used to increase the effectiveness of armor systems by implementing polyurea coatings.