| Abstract Scope |
The synergistic incorporation of multiple particles has emerged as a promising strategy to enhance the ballistic performance of fiber-reinforced polymer composites through complementary reinforcement mechanisms. This study investigates the effects of bismuth oxide (Bi₂O₃), tungsten oxide (WO₃), and graphene oxide (GO), individually and in hybrid combinations (Bi₂O₃+WO₃ and Bi₂O₃+WO₃+GO), on the ballistic response of hybrid flax/aramid composites. Ballistic tests using 9 mm full metal jacket (FMJ) projectiles were performed under complete perforation conditions, and performance was evaluated through residual velocity (Vres), absorbed energy (ΔE), specific energy absorption (SEA), and momentum variation (Δp). Statistical significance was determined using two-way ANOVA. Bi₂O₃ increased Vres by 3.05%, whereas the Bi₂O₃+WO₃ system reduced Vres by 1.78%. In contrast, the ternary Bi₂O₃+WO₃+GO hybrid exhibited the highest improvement, increasing Vres by 6.24%. These findings demonstrate that optimized hybrid particle systems promote synergistic energy dissipation mechanisms, supporting the development of lightweight, high-performance ballistic composites. |