Published online by Cambridge University Press: 30 July 2014
Ballistic grade composite materials have shown several advantages in comparison with their individual constituents, such as increased ballistic limit and reduced posterior trauma. One configuration in particular that has demonstrated greater ballistic efficiency is the arrangement of independent laminates (IL). It presents an increase in energy absorption compared to its counterpart of consolidated laminates (CL). In this study, an analysis is carried out to determine the effect on the ballistic performance of IL and CL arrangements when they are subjected to biaxial prestress (BP). Results show how the ballistic advantage obtained in IL is nullified in comparison with CL, thus demonstrating the limitations of this arrangement for possible applications where the arrangement is subjected to normal impacts with BP.