Ballistic Efficiency of Multilayered Armor Systems with Sisal Fiber Polyester Composites

Abstract

The urban violence and the different types of global armed conflicts demand efficient protective systems against high energy ammunition. Multilayered Armor Systems (MAS) provide efficient protection by making use of lighter and more efficient materials. A typical MAS may be composed of three layers: a front ceramic followed by a composite, backed by a ductile metal. Polymer composites reinforced with natural fibers have proven to be effective second layers, being also lighter, low-cost and environmentally friendly as compared to conventional composites like Kevlar TM . The present work evaluates MAS using as second layer polyester composites reinforced with 10, 20, and 30 vol. % of sisal fibers. Ballistic tests were performed using class III 7.62x51 mm ammunition, based on the NIJ 0101.06 backface signature methodology. Both the 30 vol.% sisal fiber composite and the conventional aramid laminates were equally efficient in terms of MAS second layer. The explanation might be the similar capacity of the different composites to retain the fragments generated by the interaction of the projectile with the front ceramic, independently of the percentage of sisal fibers.

Composites with Natural Fibers and Conventional Materials Applied in a Hard Armor: A Comparison

“…However, level IIIA ballistic vests, which protect against ammunition with an impact velocity lower than 450 m/s, such as 9 mm and .44 Magnum bullets, are often transformed into level III for protection against 7.62 mm bullets by placing inserts (armor plates) on the vest front, which was the objective of the present work. A comparison between the results obtained in previous works for the MASs with three layers [ 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 ] and the BFS depth of hard armor systems (without the Al alloy) tested in this work is shown in Figure 4 . All MASs presented in this figure have a composite plate with 30 vol % of natural fiber, which is the same as the volume fraction for the tested PALF composite.…”

“…The reason for the unexpected ballistic performance of natural fiber composites is that the role played by the MAS second layer in impact energy dissipation depends on the fiber’s ability to capture ceramic/bullet fragments, but not on the fiber strength [ 24 ]. In addition, the articles cited by Benzait and Trabzon [ 10 ] and other recent works [ 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 ] also confirmed the superior ballistic performance of natural fiber composites as an MAS second layer. It is worth mentioning the significant number of publications focused on ballistic performance of hybrid composites reinforced with synthetic and natural fibers [ 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 ].…”

“… Comparative graph showing multilayered armor systems (MASs) with three layers (ceramic + natural fiber composite + Al alloy) [ 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 ] and the armor plates of the present work (PW). …”

“…Although the use of natural fiber composites in ballistic armors has been reported in many papers [ 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 ], most of the published work thus far involves a possible third layer in the MAS. This layer is an aluminum alloy, which compromises the armor vest weight.…”

Metodologia Doe Para Comparação De Blindagens Compósitas Com Diferentes Espessuras De Camada

“…Estes sistemas permitem diminuir o peso das blindagens em relação às placas de único material, permitindo uma maior mobilidade do usuário [4][5][6]. Recentemente, compósitos reforçados com fibras naturais têm sido testados com sucesso para as camadas de apoio, juntamente com uma camada de liga alumínio, formando um apoio leve, eficiente e de baixo custo [7][8][9][10][11]. Entre as principais fibras naturais, se destaca a fibra de curauá, produzida a partir das folhas da bromeliácia amazônica Ananas Erectifolius.…”