Abstract
The main objective of this study focuses on designing and testing body protection systems using advanced materials based on aramid fibers, for high impact speeds of up to 420 ± 10 m/s. Ballistic applications of aramid fiber-based composites mostly include soft body armors. The investigation of the failure mechanisms identifies issues of protective fabrics, major challenges and technological problems for efficient development of these systems. The authors present an investigation on the failure processes and destructive stages of a ballistic package made of successive layers of LFT SB1plus, a trade name for a multiaxial fabric by Twaron Laminated Fabric Technology (LFT), taking into account the particular test conditions from NIJ Standard-0101.06 Ballistic Resistance of Body Armor. The main parameter of interest was the backface signature (BFS), but also details of projectile arrest and SEM investigation could offer arguments for using this material for individual protection. For the reported tests, the maximum and minimum values for BFS were 12 mm and 24 mm, the mean value being 18.66 mm and the standard deviation being 3.8 mm.
Highlights
For hundreds of years, metallic materials have been used for body armor, and for the protection of larger objects, such as vehicles, which is called “heavy protection”
Just a few decades ago, at the end of World War II, lighter solutions emerged, especially for military personnel, in the form of nylon ballistic vests. Those did not come close to the current level of ballistic protection offered by aramid fibers, yarns and fabrics, included in personal armors
Research has involved aramid fibers with different architectures, from simple or treated woven fabrics [12] to 3D fabrics [13] and unidirectional or multiaxial non-crimp fabrics, each solution being simulated with particular model conditions and tested for a specific threat, the conclusion of the documentation conducted by the authors being that each solution has to be experimentally investigated and the failure mechanisms understood in order to offer a design with very strong statistical reliability before use in combat
Summary
Metallic materials have been used for body armor, and for the protection of larger objects, such as vehicles, which is called “heavy protection”. Bajya et al [7] recently presented an experimental report on ballistic protection and failure mechanisms of soft armor packages made of different structures, including woven and unidirectional fabrics.
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