Breathability Characterization of Ballistic Fabrics, Including Shear Thickening Fluid-Treated Fabrics

Abstract

The breathability of a series of ballistic fabrics and shear thickening fluid (STF)-treated ballistic fabrics was evaluated. Breathability was characterized using measurements of water vapor transport rate through fabric samples. The results show that uncoated ballistic fabrics offer good breathability that is only slightly lower than conventional military outer garments. Ballistic fabrics treated with STF show a slight decrease in breathability, as compared with uncoated fabrics. Ballistic fabrics with continuous polymer coatings, however, exhibit very low water vapor transport rates. These results indicate that fabrics treated with STF introduce no significant penalty in breathability relative to conventional, uncoated ballistic fabrics.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 01, 2008
Accession Number
ADA478351

Entities

People

  • Eric D. Wetzel
  • Wai K. Chin

Organizations

  • United States Army Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Human Systems

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Armor
  • Body Armor
  • Body Weight
  • Fabrics
  • Fluids
  • Hydrophobic Properties
  • Materials
  • Materials Processing
  • Measurement
  • Military Research
  • Polymeric Films
  • Standards
  • Test Methods
  • Transport Ships
  • Vapors
  • Water Masses
  • Water Vapor

Readers

  • Materials Science
  • Metallurgy
  • Nanocomposite Materials Science