A STUDY OF FELTS FOR PERSONAL ARMOR
Abstract
This study was concerned with the influence of various geometric and mechanical characteristics of the constituent fibers, and some processing factors such as the amount of needling and the blending of fibers, on the cohesion of needled felts. Tests were conducted on single fibers for surface- roughness and frictional-force characteristics and mechanical properties. Length analyses were also made on groups of fiber samples. The observed surface- roughness parameters did not differ sufficiently among the various samples to permit any conclusions regarding the influence of this property on the cohesion of felts. The frictional-force measurements failed to provide any data that could be significantly correlated with the cohesion behavior of felts. From the length analyses of the fibers taken from the felts before and after deformation, there was apparently no fiber breakage during the rupture of felts. This observation, and the results obtained on the mechanical properties of single fibers and cohesion of felts, led to the conclusion that fiber tenacity does not play an important role in determining the cohesion of needled felts. The felts made from fibers having no crimp had greater cohesion. Increased needling brought about a slight, though not significant, increase in cohesion. In general, the results of the study showed that processing variables such as amount of needling, the blending of fibers differing in single-fiber properties (blending of polypropylene and nylon 66), and interactions at the processing state seem to be the predominant factors influencing the cohesion properties of felts.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 1969
- Accession Number
- AD0695644
Entities
People
- B. C. Goswami
- Frank L. Scardino
- W. J. Lyons