my.mwnewsroom.com
"The U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center, Construction Engineering Research Laboratory (ERDC-CERL) led a series of studies designed to improve the high-performance composite ballistic-resistant panels used worldwide by the Army for force protection, physical security, and other applications. The principal thrust of the research was to reduce the weight and cost of standard panels by improving their material properties to meet established protective standards at reduced thickness. In opening panel material formulations and configurations to advanced development, the research was leveraged to investigate the introduction of other improvements in order to create a new category of multifunctional composite materials for military applications.
Efforts to improve the mechanical and physical properties of the basic GFRP panel, and to add new functionalities to it, were executed in a series of separate but related studies. These studies involved the reformulation of the composite polymer matrix, introduction of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in both particle and sheet form, development and addition of a self-healing agent to panel components, introduction of conductive materials to serve as electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding, and an amendment to self-decontaminate panel surfaces exposed to harmful biological substances. Private-sector participants in these studies included Applied Nanotech, Inc. (ANI) in Austin, Texas; and Armortex in Schertz, Texas.
Different CNT loadings and functionalization methods within the epoxy and polyester resins were studied in order to achieve optimized mechanical property improvement of the matrix...."
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