Abstract
Firearms threat has always been a matter of personal concern, especially to soldiers in armed conflicts as well as police officers and civilians involved with public security. A multilayered armor system (MAS) is intended to personal protection against high kinetic energy ammunition, such as that used in rifles. MAS layers are normally composed of a front ceramic followed by a layer that must show both high impact resistance and low weight. Usually, synthetic fiber fabrics, such as aramid in Kevlar® and ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWP) in Dyneema® are commonly used as the second layer. Currently, composites reinforced with natural fibers are also being considered as second MAS layer due to their good performance associated with the advantages of being cheaper and environmentally friendly. The fique is a relatively unknown natural fiber extracted from leaves of a plant native of South American Andes. In the present work, fique fibers and fique fabrics incorporated in polyester composite plates with volume fraction of 10, 20 and 30% were ballistic tested. The calculated projectile loss of energy indicated a relatively large energy dissipation by the composite. The tested specimens were statistically treated by the Weibull analysis and were examined by scanning electron microscopy.
Highlights
The use of high velocity, impact and power (VIP) ammunition, as the Class III 7.62 x 51 mm (7.62 mm for short) used in rifles, is today associated with increasing threat in urban conflicts, regional wars and terrorism actions
Laminates of aramid fabric such as Kevlar® and ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWP) Dyneema®9-10 are commercial materials used as the multilayer armor system (MAS) second layer
Another third layer of MAS, commonly a ductile metal sheet, may be added to further reduce the energy carried by the bullet impact shock wave[11]
Summary
The use of high velocity, impact and power (VIP) ammunition, as the Class III 7.62 x 51 mm (7.62 mm for short) used in rifles, is today associated with increasing threat in urban conflicts, regional wars and terrorism actions. Single layered armor vests demand a relatively greater thickness, which is the case of those made only of steel or Kevlar®. Laminates of aramid fabric such as Kevlar® and UHMWP Dyneema®9-10 are commercial materials used as the MAS second layer. Another third layer of MAS, commonly a ductile metal sheet, may be added to further reduce the energy carried by the bullet impact shock wave[11]
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