Abstract:

In order to improve the ballistic performance of soft body armour, ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) plain woven fabrics were incorporated into the unidirectional (UD) panel, aiming to increase the energy absorption of the whole panel. Through ballistic penetration shooting tests, it was found that woven structure exhibit better shear resistance and UD structures gives better tensile resistance upon ballistic impact. According to this phenomenon, hybrid ballistic panel design guidance was developed. The results showed that placing the woven fabrics close to the impact face and UD material as the rear layers led to better ballistic performance than the panel constructed in the reverse sequence. It has also been found that the optimum ratio of woven to UD materials in the hybrid ballistic panel was 1:3.

Key words: ultra-high-molecular-weight plain weave, unidirectional nonwowe fabric, bullet protection, energy absorption