The ballistic performance of equi-mass plates made from (i) stainless steel (SS); (ii)
carbon fibre/epoxy (CF) laminate and (iii) a hybrid plate of both materials has been
characterised for a spherical steel projectile. The hybrid plate was orientated with steel
on the impact face (SSCF) and on the distal face (CFSS). The penetration velocity
()
was highest for the SS plate and lowest for the CF plate. A series
of double impact tests were performed, with an initial velocity
and a subsequent
velocity
at the same impact site. An interaction diagram in
space
was constructed to delineate penetration from survival under both impacts. The
degree of interaction between the two impact events was greater for the CFSS plate
than for the SSCF plate, implying that the distal face has the major effect upon the
degree of interaction.