Impact performance analysis of a novel rubber-composite combat helmet

Abstract

Starting from the permanent need to ensure individual protection in case of impact with a projectile, this work presents a comparative analysis between the ballistic helmet used by the Romanian Armed Forces, made of steel and Kevlar, and a novel multilayer helmet proposed to be made of rubber and Kevlar fibers reinforced polyethylene. The impact behavior of the ballistic helmets is analyzed numerically, using the finite element method, from different perspectives, including the protective performance of the combat helmets and the kinetic energy of the projectile dissipated during the impact. The numerical model of the steel and Kevlar helmet is validated by ballistic tests, observing the projectile impact on the ballistic helmets. Results from the simulations and experiments show that the steel and Kevlar helmets are not able to resist a 7.62 mm bullet with a striking velocity of 690 m/s, while, according to the simulations, the novel multilayer helmet proposed is not penetrated by the projectile.