Caracterización mecánica de espuma metálica en aplicaciones de alto impacto (chaleco antibalas) : caracterización mecánica de espuma metálica en aplicaciones de alto impacto producidas por la colisión de balas disparadas con un fusil de calibre 5,56mm.

Abstract

This curricular integration project addresses the study of new materials for high-impact applications, such as bulletproof vests. The studied material corresponds to an aluminum metal foam, manufactured by the method of metal infiltration into soluble preforms using salt grains as preforms. The final sample consists of a sheet of metal foam with a thickness of 14 mm. The material is divided into rectangular specimens used for characterization and obtaining mechanical properties. Therefore, microhardness tests, microscopy, macroscopy, spectroscopy, density measurements, variable impact tests, Charpy impact tests, and impact simulations are conducted. Impact tests were identified as the most crucial, as they allow analyzing the material's behavior and resistance to impact loads. The impact tests were defined as the most important since they allow the behavior of the material and its resistance to impact loads to be analyzed. The simulation section shows a methodology that was developed to validate simulation results with experimental results presented in a scientific article. This methodology is employed, and parameters are adjusted to simulate the impact of a 5.56 mm caliber bullet on the aluminum metal foam. Finally, the properties of the characterized metal foam are compared with alotec ceramic plates, which are materials commonly used in the manufacture of level III, IV bulletproof vests. The Differences, advantages, and disadvantages of the metal foam compared to these materials are established, in addition, a feasibility analysis is conducted to assess the potential use of metal foams in bulletproof vests for 5.56 mm caliber rifles.