Ballistic Performance and Energy Dissipation Mechanisms of Epoxy Composites Reinforced with Raffia Fabric Under 9 mm Impact

This study investigates the ballistic performance and energy dissipation mechanisms of epoxy composites reinforced with raffia fabric at fiber volume fractions of 10%, 20%, and 30% under 9 mm full metal jacket projectile impact. Ballistics tests were conducted to determine impact and residual velocities, absorbed energy, absorption efficiency, equivalent ballistic limit, and momentum reduction. All tests were performed at similar impact velocities (≈433 m/s), corresponding to an incident energy of approximately 750 J. The results revealed a clear inverse relationship between raffia content and energy absorption capability. The ER10 composite exhibited the highest performance, with an absorbed energy of 176.7 ± 9.7 J, absorption efficiency of 23.5 ± 0.9%, and momentum reduction of 0.1253 ± 0.0053. Increasing the fiber fraction to 20% (ER20) and 30% (ER30) led to progressive reductions in absorbed energy to 119.7 ± 2.7 J and 77.7 ± 9.0 J, with efficiencies of 15.95 ± 0.26% and 10.30 ± 1.12%, respectively. The residual velocity increased from 379.3 ± 2.5 m/s (ER10) to 397.0 ± 2.1 m/s (ER20) and 411.1 ± 1.6 m/s (ER30). One-way ANOVA detected statistically significant differences in absorbed energy and absorption efficiency among the different fiber volume fractions (p < 0.001). The results demonstrate a trade-off between stiffness and toughness and indicate that raffia-reinforced composites can play complementary roles in sustainable multilayered armor systems.