Energy Absorption of Kevlar (trade name) Fabrics under Ballistic Impact
Abstract
Protection of the soldier from enemy threats is a multifaceted research problem which requires study in many specialized areas of life support necessary for survival under combat conditions. This paper considers one of these specialized areas, the prevention of debilitating wounds from fragmenting munitions. Specifically, it deals with protection by the use of flexible personnel armor made from fibrous materials. Traditionally, the ballistic resistance of textile materials has been defined by laboratory measurement of ballistic limit (V50), the velocity at which a material stops a simulated threat. This method has been widely accepted and it continues to serve the needs of the ballistic community; it is, however, very expensive and time consuming. A new methodology has been developed at the U.S. Army Natick Research & Development Command (NARADCOM) which greatly reduces the cost and time necessary to develop equally reliable data. It generates a Ballistic Performance Indicator (B.P.I.) which can be used to predict the V50 ballistic limit, or to measure the relative ballistic usefulness of candidate materials. This paper describes the new test methodology, compares experimental B.P.I. with actual V50 for five Kevlar materials, and suggests, through the use of B.P.I., fabric constructions for improved protection against fragmentation threats. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1980
- Accession Number
- ADA090390
Entities
People
- Frank Figucia
Organizations
- United States Army Soldier Systems Center