Analytical Processes for Predicting Nanosecond Response of Highly Rate-Sensitive Materials Navy SBIR FY2012.2 Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2012.2 Topic No.: N122-143 Topic Title: Analytical Processes for Predicting Nanosecond Response of Highly Rate-Sensitive Materials Proposal No.: N122-143-0145 Firm: Hi-Test Laboratories, Inc P.O. Box 87 1104 Arvon Rd. Arvonia, Virginia 23004 Contact: Christopher Key Phone: (307) 760-8799 Web Site: hitestlabs.com Abstract: Ballistic and blast protection of both the crew and vital equipment onboard U.S. Navy surface ships and carriers is a critical component in the design of topside structures on these vessels. Materials such as glass, Plexiglasr and polyurea are being considered and implemented for protection in these applications due to their low density and inherent damage mechanisms which absorb large amounts of energy under high-velocity impact or blast loading conditions. Likewise, these material systems are being used in layered or laminated configurations to exploit the benefits of each individual material. However, the ability to numerically simulate these materials constitutive and damage behavior does not readily exist in traditional analysis tools. Therefore, for this effort we have proposed to utilize and implement three new constitutive material models for conventional glass, PMMA, and polyurea/polyurethane. The material models will initially be implemented within the shock hydrocode CTH and will allow for more accurate simulation of ballistic impact events on the material systems of interest and also offer a more efficient armor system design approach. Benefits: The primary benefits/commercial applications of the rate-dependent analytical tools developed in this SBIR will be realized in the military, homeland security and commercial industries. The ballistic and/or blast armoring industry is a multiple billion dollar industry that spans from wearable armor to vehicle, vessel and aircraft armor. In all of these applications the most common approach is to add armor protection in a parasitic manner. However, applying armor in a parasitic manner quickly increases either the weight of the vehicle and/or the weight carried by the solider. For this reason, new low density materials are constantly being researched and developed by material scientists for pushing the limits of ballistic armor. To efficiently and economically evaluate the myriad of materials coming onto the market for use in new armor systems, the design engineer must have a reliable design tool to perform down-selects and optimize performance. This outcome of the proposed research and development will be a toolset that is adapted to multiple analysis frameworks for both commercial and defense applications. Return