Ballistic behaviour of nanosilica and rubber reinforced kevlar/epoxy composite targets

•Kevlar Epoxy composites reinforced with nanosilica and liquid rubber were prepared by hand layup process.•Nanosilica and rubber particles increase the strength of the composites.•Hybrid stacking of the two nanofillers had the optimum combination with the highest ballistic resistance.•The minimum thickness required to stop a high-velocity projectile was determined.•The crack pinning and crack deflection property of nanosilica and cavitation and shear yielding of rubber provide the necessary matrix toughening. The ballistic performance of Kevlar/Epoxy composites reinforced with nanosilica and liquid rubber has been investigated. The individual and synergistic effects of these reinforcements on the ballistic performance of the composite target were determined. Surface hardened 10 mm diameter conical nosed projectiles with 125 m/sec velocity were used for the initial ballistic test. Three mm thick specimens with six different combinations were tested. Nine mm FMJ projectiles at 430 ± 15 m/sec were used for the ballistic testing at a higher velocity with four different target thicknesses. The mechanical properties of the nanofillers intruded composite showed the highest improvement. The lower velocity ballistic impact experiments also indicated a higher ballistic resistance for the stacked composite. The conjoint matrix toughening actions of nano-silica and rubber particles through crack pinning, crack deflection and rubber cavitation provided the necessary resistance. The target thickness of 10 mm of this optimum combination was able to prevent the projectile’s penetration.