Nanophase Shear Thickening Additives for Transparent Polycarbonate Armor

Transparent armor is a system of materials designed to be optically transparent, yet protect from ballistic impacts. A new nano-scale polymer composite additive having loading rate-dependent properties was developed for improving the ballistic properties of polycarbonate-based transparent armor. The Phase I study demonstrated the feasibility of modifying conventional polycarbonate thermoplastic with nano-scale reinforced copolymer additives that enhance the ballistic impact properties and provide adhesion to ceramics. The additives are designed to preserve the ductility and transparency of the polycarbonate while improving the overall ballistic survivability. The proposed Phase II program would extend the benefits of these versatile additives to advanced lightweight thermoplastic and laminate armors. In the proposed Phase II study, the methodology for preparing both stand-alone lightweight components and ceramic-thermoplastic laminate armor will be developed. These novel loading rate-sensitive thermoplastic nanocomposites will be optimized in terms of ballistic properties and optical transparency. The resulting material property relationships will be used to fabricate new toughened transparent armors with high survivability. Damage tolerance, mechanical properties and environmental durability of the resulting transparent armor specimens will be tested for ultimate system qualification. Cost and manufacturability studies and the fabrication of an aircraft windscreen test article will be performed.