A review of recent research on materials used in polymer–matrix composites for body armor application

Benzait, Zineb; Trabzon, Levent

doi:10.1177/0021998318764002

Cited by 185 publications

(83 citation statements)

References 90 publications

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“…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 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 61%

“…Currently, synthetic laminates based on aramid fiber (Kevlar/Twaron) [ 6 , 7 ]; ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (Dyneema/SpectraShield) [ 8 ], and PBO fiber (Zylon) [ 9 ] are commonly used as backing in bulletproof vests. In a recent review, Benzait and Trabzon [ 10 ] stated that the emergence of new materials with outstanding stiffness and strength, as well as light density and high energy absorption, makes them a future choice for ballistic armor materials. They also reported another recent research tendency where natural fiber polymer composites are used as alternatives for replacing Kevlar in multilayered armor systems (MASs).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

et al. 2020

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Natural-fiber-reinforced polymer composites have recently drawn attention as new materials for ballistic armor due to sustainability benefits and lower cost as compared to conventional synthetic fibers, such as aramid and ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). In the present work, a comparison was carried out between the ballistic performance of UHMWPE composite, commercially known as Dyneema, and epoxy composite reinforced with 30 vol % natural fibers extracted from pineapple leaves (PALF) in a hard armor system. This hard armor system aims to provide additional protection to conventional level IIIA ballistic armor vests, made with Kevlar, by introducing the PALF composite plate, effectively changing the ballistic armor into level III. This level of protection allows the ballistic armor to be safely subjected to higher impact projectiles, such as 7.62 mm caliber rifle ammunition. The results indicate that a hard armor with a ceramic front followed by the PALF/epoxy composite meets the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) international standard for level III protection and performs comparably to that of the Dyneema plate, commonly used in armor vests.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 61%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

et al. 2020

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“…The selection of epoxy as the composite matrix was based on its superior mechanical, thermal and corrosion resistance among most polymer resins as well as easy processing with NLFs [ 31 , 35 ]. Based on reviews in the literature [ 36 , 37 ], a possible application in multilayered armor systems (MAS) is another motivation to study this combination of less-known NLF polymer composites [ 38 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Caranan Fiber from Mauritiella armata Palm Tree as Novel Reinforcement for Epoxy Composites

et al. 2020

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A growing environmental concern is increasing the search for new sustainable materials. In this scenario, natural lignocellulosic fibers (NLFs) became an important alternative to replace synthetic fibers commonly used as composites reinforcement. In this regard, unknown NLFs such as the caranan fiber (Mauritiella armata) found in South American rain forests revealed promising properties for engineering applications. Thus, for the first time, the present work conducted a technical characterization of caranan fiber-incorporated composites. Epoxy matrix composites with 10, 20 and 30 vol% of continuous and aligned caranan fibers were investigated by tensile tests, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Composites with more than 10% vol of caranan fibers significantly increase the elastic modulus and toughness in comparison to the neat epoxy. Indeed, the composite with 30 vol% was 50% stiffer, 130% tougher, and 100% stronger, which characterized an effective reinforcement. As for the elastic modulus, total strain and tensile toughness, there is a clear tendency of improvement with the amount of caranan fiber. The TGA disclosed the highest onset temperature of degradation (298 °C) with the least mass loss (36.8%) for the 30 vol% caranan fiber composite. It also displayed a higher degradation peak at 334 °C among the studied composites. The lowest glass transition temperature of 63 °C was obtained by DSC, while the highest of 113 °C by dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) for the 30 vol% caranan composite. These basic technical findings emphasize the caranan fiber potential as reinforcement for polymer composites.

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“…A surging in the interest for polymer composites incorporated with natural fibers in past decades motivated a significant number of research works [ 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 ] and industrial application [ 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 ]. In particular, less known NLFs, such as guaruman [ 21 ], buriti [ 22 ], and fique [ 23 ] have recently been successfully evaluated as reinforcement of polymer composites.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Copernicia Prunifera Leaf Fiber: A Promising New Reinforcement for Epoxy Composites

et al. 2020

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A basic characterization of novel epoxy matrix composites incorporated with up to 40 vol% of processed leaf fibers from the Copernicia prunifera palm tree, known as carnauba fibers, was performed. The tensile properties for the composite reinforced with 40 vol% of carnauba fibers showed an increase (40%) in the tensile strength and (69%) for the elastic modulus. All composites presented superior elongation values in comparison to neat epoxy. Izod impact tests complemented by fibers/matrix interfacial strength evaluation by pullout test and Fourier transformed infrared (FTIR) analysis revealed for the first time a significant reinforcement effect (> 9 times) caused by the carnauba fiber to polymer matrix. Additional thermogravimetric analysis (TG/DTG) showed the onset of thermal degradation for the composites (326 ~ 306 °C), which represents a better thermal stability than the plain carnauba fiber (267 °C) but slightly lower than that of the neat epoxy (342 °C). Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) disclosed an endothermic peak at 63 °C for the neat epoxy associated with the glass transition temperature (Tg). DSC endothermic peaks for the composites, between 73 to 103 °C, and for the plain carnauba fibers, 107 °C, are attributed to moisture release. Dynamic mechanical analysis confirms Tg of 64 °C for the neat epoxy and slightly higher composite values (82–84 °C) due to the carnauba fiber interference with the epoxy macromolecular chain mobility. Both by its higher impact resistance and thermal behavior, the novel carnauba fibers epoxy composites might be considered a viable substitute for commonly used glass fiber composites.

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A review of recent research on materials used in polymer–matrix composites for body armor application

Cited by 185 publications

References 90 publications

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

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

Caranan Fiber from Mauritiella armata Palm Tree as Novel Reinforcement for Epoxy Composites

Copernicia Prunifera Leaf Fiber: A Promising New Reinforcement for Epoxy Composites

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