This article deals with the ballistic impact of the 7.62 mm FMJ M80 rifle projectile into the laminated Twaron/UHMWPE composite armor. The armor composition consisted of composite panels made from Twaron CT 747 para-aramid fabric and ultra-high-molecular-weight Endumax Shield XF33 polyethylene. To analyze the ballistic impact and to verify the resistance of the designed armor according to the NATO AEP 4569 STANAG standard, protection level 1, 7.62 × 51 mm FMJ NATO M80 rifle cartridges with lead projectiles were used in the ballistic experiment. After the projectile impact, the damage failure mechanisms of the composite panels were documented. As part of the evaluation of the experiments, the initial microstructure of the composite panels was documented, and subsequently, the damaged areas of the composite armor after the ballistic experiment were also documented. Optical and scanning electron microscopy were used to document the structures. The important parameter of composite armor is its mechanical properties. The surface hardness of the composite panels was measured by the Shore D method using the hardness tester DIGI-Test II. The results obtained from the ballistic experiment demonstrate that the designed Twaron/Endumax armor was not penetrated. This armor has sustained multiple impacts for all three 7.62 mm FMJ M80 projectiles and is suitable for the construction of armor protection.

This study addresses the critical need for lightweight and effective ballistic protection in military applications, focusing on layered composite systems designed to meet NATO STANAG 4569 Level I standard. The layered ballistic protection combines Hardox 450 wear-resistant steel with Twaron CT 747 para-aramid fabric and Endumax Shield XF33 Ultra-High-Molecular-Weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). Three configurations of ballistic protection were evaluated, each differing in steel thickness and areal weight. Configurations 1 and 2, with 6-mm and 4-mm Hardox 450 steel, and areal weights of 84.3 kg/m ² and 68.6 kg/m ² , respectively, successfully resisted 7.62-mm NATO FMJ M80 projectile impacts while maintaining structural integrity. Configuration 3, comprising 2-mm Hardox 450 steel (52.9 kg/m ² ), was not penetrated by the projectile but detached from the frame due to localized impact near the edge. Microscopic analysis identified delamination and cracking of the reinforcing fibers and matrix as dominant failure mechanisms. Combining experimental testing with numerical simulations confirms that these layered protection systems offer high ballistic resistance while maintaining low weight, offering significant advancements in the design of military vehicle protection systems.

This study is focused on testing the ballistic resistance of composite materials to define their limit thicknesses according to the US STANDARD NIJ 0101.06, level III. The materials Twaron CT 747, Twaron CT 747 TH110 and Endumax Shield XF33, which are widely used in the manufacture of the ballistic protection systems, were tested. A method known as the Taylor Anvil Test (TAT) was used to verify their ballistic resistance. The missile 7.62 mm M80 was used to test the ballistic resistance of these materials. Within the experimental part, the deformation processes of composite materials were examined after impact by this missile. The value of the traumatic effect according to the US STANDARD NIJ 0101.06 was also measured. The results of the experiment provide an idea of the ballistic resistance of selected materials. Based on the results, TAT proved to be the perspective measurement method for further development and optimalization of the multilayer composite armor.

The article deals with a possibilities of an enhancement of functional properties of highly stressed components by specific combination of surface technology. Two surface technologies such as plasma nitriding and laser shock peening were selected for the experiment. Those technologies were applied upon steel 42CrMo4 frequently utilized in manufacturing of strained components. Properties obtained by applied surface technologies were tested by following experimental methods. The chemical composition was verified by optical emission spectrometer Tasman Q4 Bruker. The surface morphology was inspected by scanning electron microscope TESCAN MIRA 4. The microstructure of heat treated as well as of nitrided specimens was observed by opto-digital microscope Olympus DSX500i. The microhardness profiles were measured by microhardness tester LM247 AT LECO. The friction coefficient was tested on tribometer Bruker UMT-3 TriboLab. For an assessment of the surface wear-resistance the profilometer Talysurf CLI 1000 and Contour GT were utilized. The experimental results show that although the proposed surface technology combination manifests itself to be disadvantageous, both technology LSP, as well as plasma nitriding, applied separately, can lead to a significant wear reduction.

Additive manufacturing of polymer materials, also known as 3D printing, is becoming a key technology for the production of functional parts with the ability to customize the structure and properties according to the application requirements. Polylactide (PLA) is one of the most commonly used materials in this field due to its biodegradability, ease of processing, and adequate strength for lightweight functional components. An important factor that affects the resulting properties of parts is not only the filler structure and density but also the angle at which the material is deposited during the printing process. This article focuses on investigating the influence of the printing angle (0°, 30°, 60° and 90°) and the bulk density of the filler (20%, 40%, 60% and 80%) on the mechanical properties of PLA samples. Two series of samples were prepared—the first was subjected to direct mechanical tests, and the second series was first exposed to freezing conditions and then tested to evaluate the effect of freezing on the material behavior. The samples were tested for tensile strength according to ASTM D638 and for bending strength according to ASTM D790. The results showed that the highest values were achieved in tensile strength in the 60°/80% configuration with a strength of 39.27 MPa, which represents more than a twofold improvement over the weakest configuration (0°/20%–19.58 MPa). In the bending test, the best results were achieved by the 90°/80% sample with a strength of 58.89 MPa, approximately 18% higher than 0°/20%. Cryogenic treatment caused a deterioration of all monitored parameters, especially at low infill densities and at an angle of 0°, where the decrease in strength reached up to 10–13%. These results confirm that the combination of a higher printing angle and a higher infill density is key to optimizing the mechanical properties of PLA parts, while cryogenic treatment has a negative impact on their behavior.

In this study, the ballistic resistance of multi-layered composite armour is experimentally investigated. The composition of this armour consisted of armour steel Armox 500T, para-aramid fabric Twaron CT 747 and ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene Endumax Shield XF33. To compare the ballistic resistance, the ballistic resistance of the armour with the perforated steel Armox 500T was tested. The rifle cartridges 7.62 x 51 mm FMJ NATO M80 were used to test this resistance. The aim of this experiment was to compare the ballistic resistance of unperforated and perforated steel Armox 500T. As part of the experimental part, the chemical composition and microhardness of the steel Armox 500T was verified. The hardness of the composite materials was also measured for optimal armor configuration. After the projectile impact, the damage mechanism of the steel Armox 500T and the composite materials were investigated by using optical and electron microscopy. It was proved that the ballistic resistance of the perforated steel depends on the used pattern. Based on the performed experiments, the steel Armox with pattern A effectively reduced the weight of the testing configuration and absorbed all the kinetic energy of the projectile 7.62 mm FMJ M80.