Mechanisms of Improved Ballistic Fabric Performance
Abstract
The approach taken in this study is to analyze the projectile impact of a fabric in logical steps, and perform laboratory experiments to quantify the various physical responses which are active. The event involves a number of fiber characteristics and penetration mechanisms interacting in microseconds of time. The process begins with the initial contact of a projectile upon an orthogonally woven fabric. This sets up a potential exchange of projectile kinetic energy into yarn tensile stress-strain energy. As long as the tensile mode of response remains in effect, the energy of the projectile is translated longitudinally along the yarns in continuous pulses which can be thought of as wavelets of stress-strain energy. These travel at velocities which vary with the crystalline character of the target material. The amount of yarn which becomes involved through this mechanism increases from the time of initial contact until the projectile penetrates the fabric and the strain is released. At the same time as the in-plane exchange of energy takes place, projectile energy is also dissipated through fabric transverse motion. The forward thrust of the projectile carries target fabric out of its original plane.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 18, 1982
- Accession Number
- ADA117104
Entities
People
- B. Kirkwood
- Carmen Williams
- F. Figucia
- W. Koza
Organizations
- United States Army Soldier Systems Center