Robust Design and Intelligent Modelling of Organic-Based Composites for Armoury Applications

The study focused on assessing selected organic fillers’ impact (periwinkle and clam shells) on the physicochemical and mechanical properties of polyester composites. The tensile, compressive, flexural and Brinell hardness tests were respectively carried out in accordance to ASTM standards. The methods involved grinding and sieve analysis of the shells, material preparation, and Taguchi robust design aided by Plackett–Burman screening. Signal-to-noise ratio analysis guided composite fabrication. The process control variables were grouped in terms of particles sizes: 75, 150, 425 µm, weight fraction: 5%, 20%, 40% and material thickness: 5, 15, 25 mm. The Artificial Neural Network (ANN) training was carried out using MATLAB R2013a and the cascade-forward back-propagation architecture while Adaptive network-based fuzzy system (ANFIS) which is a well-known hybrid artificial intelligence model was subsequently applied. The geometrical model of 9 mm FMJ armour piercing ammunition projectile and the armour plate was modeled using a commercial finite element software package (ANSYS v14) suitable for high velocity impact. The Finite Element Analysis (FEA) further investigates the deformation, elastic strain, and stress response of clam and periwinkle reinforced composites under ballistic impact. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA)/Differential thermal analysis (DTA) were deployed to further study the morphology, chemical composition, phase transitions and thermal stability of the optimal material. The results revealed that the clam shell reinforced composite have mechanical responses of 11.038 MPa, 17.07 MPa, 40.2 MPa, and 69.62 N/mm for tensile, compressive, flexural, and hardness strength respectively. While the periwinkle shell reinforced composite has mechanical responses of 16.111 MPa, 17.173 MPa, 39.7 MPa, and 63.57 N/mm for tensile, compressive, flexural, and hardness strength respectively. FEA results indicate decreasing deformation, elastic strain, and stress with increasing material thickness. The investigation carried out indicated the impact of the organic fillers and showed that the new material properties depend on the reinforcement combinations of control parameters.