The Development of a Hybrid Thermoplastic Ballistic Material With Application to Helmets
Abstract
U.S. helmet material technology has changed relatively little since the introduction of aramids in the 1970s. All U.S. Army ballistic helmets use woven aramids with a thermoset (toughened phenolic) resin system. The current research explores the use of thermoplastic (polyolefin-based) matrix material. Although thermoplastic aramid systems have been evaluated for specialty applications, they have often failed to meet all the stringent criteria required of a U.S. Army helmet system. The present work seeks to remedy this by investigating hybrid ballistic material solutions. The combination of mass efficient ballistic and independent structural materials provides a means of meeting the spectrum of performance requirements demanded by U.S. Army helmet specifications. In addition to this, a series of helmet prototypes has been produced, which explore alternate design methods for selectively stiffening the core ballistic shell. Preliminary normalized performance data are presented that demonstrate the improved mass efficiency of the hybrid ballistic material solutions. This work summarizes the U.S. Army Research Laboratory's initial development of a candidate ballistic material solution to meet the Future Force Program requirements.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 2005
- Accession Number
- ADA441165
Entities
People
- Brian R. Scott
- David M. Spagnuolo
- Shawn M. Walsh
Organizations
- United States Army Research Laboratory