Nanophase Shear Thickening Additives for Transparent Polycarbonate Armor

A new nanoscale polymer composite additive having shear thickening properties is proposed for improving the ballistic properties of polycarbonate-based transparent armor. The proposed research explores the feasibility of modifying conventional polycarbonate thermoplastics with nano-dispersed inorganic ceramics and novel copolymer additives to enhance the ballistic resistance of these transparent armor materials. The nano-scale ceramic phases dispersed within copolymer micromatrices will improve the ballistic impact resistance of the plastic armor through a non-Newtonian flow behavior. The proposed additives will be designed to preserve the hardness and transparency of the polycarbonate while improving the overall ballistic survivability. The ultimate objective is to develop an easily processed nanoscale ceramic reinforced polycarbonate hybrid with high toughness, the transparency of virgin polycarbonate and enhanced ballistic resistance. In the proposed study, the methodology for preparing these novel shear-thickening hybrids will be developed and structure-property profiles determined. The ballistic properties of selected hybrid materials and polycarbonate controls will be determined. The resulting material property relationships will be used in the design and fabrication of new toughened transparent armors with high survivability.