Ballistic performance of jute–epoxy–natural rubber composite sheets against hemispherical projectile

The growing demand for sustainable engineering materials has motivated the development of bio-based and natural materials for structural and protective applications. In this study, the ballistic response of jute–epoxy–natural rubber (JENR)-based composite sheets is investigated to evaluate their potential as environmentally responsible energy-absorbing materials. The composite sheets are subjected to normal impact by hemispherical projectile over a velocity range of 40 to 72 m/s, enabling assessment of deformation behavior, penetration mechanisms, energy dissipation, and failure mechanisms. The test specimens (150 × 150 mm2) with thicknesses of 8 and 10 mm were prepared in various stacking arrangements, while a projectile of constant mass (17 gm) and diameter (10 mm) was used for all impact cases. A 3D explicit finite element model of the target sheet and projectile is developed using ANSYS/LS-DYNA. The perforation behavior of the sheets is analyzed using two different material models. For the jute and rubber materials, the Chang–Chang and Mooney–Rivlin damage models were applied, respectively. Numerical predictions from computational simulations showed good agreement with experimental results. To study failure modes in the target sheets, scanning electron microscopy is used. Overall, the results indicate that JENR-based composites are a suitable choice for low-impact applications.