Enhancing the Ballistic Performances of 3D Warp Interlock Fabric Through Internal Structure as New Material for Seamless Female Soft Body Armor Development

Abstract

This paper investigates the effects of warp yarns ratios on the ballistic performances of three-dimensional (3D) warp interlock p-aramid fabrics. Four 3D warp interlock variants with different binding and stuffer warp yarns ratios were designed and developed. Except for warp yarns ratios, similar fabric parameters and manufacturing conditions were considered. Two-dimensional (2D) woven fabric having similar material characteristics and recommended for female seamless soft body armor are also considered for comparisons. Five ballistic panels, one from 2D plain weave fabric and the rest four from the other 3D warp interlock variants were prepared in a non-angled layer alignment and non-stitched but bust-shaped molded form. The ballistic test is carried out according to NIJ (National Institute of Justice) standard-level IIIA. Back Face Signature (BFS) was then modeled and measured to compute both trauma and panels’ energy-absorbing capability. The result showed significant ballistic improvement in the 3D warp interlock variant with optimum warp yarns ratios over traditional 2D plain weave fabrics. 3D warp interlock fabric panel made with 66.6% binding and 33.3% stuffer warp yarn ratio revealed both lower BFS depth and higher energy absorbing capacity (%) than other panels made of 2D plain weave and 3D warp interlock fabric variants.

Dynamic Impact Surface Damage Analysis of 3D Woven Para-Aramid Armour Panels Using NDI Technique

“…This is because the different fabric properties of the 3D warp interlock fabric variants including fabric architecture and warp yarn compositions inside the structure play a great role in the performance. Such involvements of higher yarn in the impact process also give better energy absorption capabilities for the mentioned armour systems [ 47 ]. Besides, apart from the involvements of the different fabric variants in armour system, the condition of the impacted area (moulded or nonmoulded) has also shown a great influence on the capability of the armour to stop the projectile with different damage surface mechanisms of the armour panels.…”

“…The local panel surface failure modes of the armour panels made of 2D woven and 3D warp interlock different fabric panels (orthogonal layer to layer) were also anlysed. Considering this result, another research involved engineering and manufacturing a new different architecture of 3D woven variants considering warp yarn ratios to enhance their ballistic performance without compromising their moldability [ 47 ]. The result shows that the ballistic performances of the 3D angle-interlock woven fabrics were improved in terms of energy absorbation and back face signature through involving an optimum warp yarn compositions system inside the structure.…”

Fabric Impregnation with Shear Thickening Fluid for Ballistic Armor Polymer Composites: An Updated Overview

“…Two-dimensional (2D) fabrics are commonly the most used and explored body protection in ballistic applications. They are composed of fixed yarns called warp, while the weft yarns are inserted under and over them [ 28 , 43 , 79 , 80 ]. Typically, as mentioned before, aramid, UHMWPE, polyphenylenebenzobisoxazole, and nylon are used in soft armor to provide protection from bullets [ 36 , 81 , 82 , 83 , 84 ] and stabbing [ 52 , 54 , 55 , 85 , 86 , 87 ], as they present high-strength/modulus fibers and offers the proper strength to impact and trauma according to current security norms.…”

“…This represents a considerable increase in the armor weight, thickness, and stiffness of the final gear. In other words, the mobility of the user is still an issue for engineers and researchers [ 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 ]. Regarding this problem of the excessive number of layers, an interesting solution was created in the early 2000s.…”

Fabrication and Mechanical Characterization of Dry Three-Dimensional Warp Interlock Para-Aramid Woven Fabrics: Experimental Methods toward Applications in Composite Reinforcement and Soft Body Armor

“…Apart from 2D and UD fabrics, three-dimensional (3D) woven fabric have also become promising for use in composite materials, such as fibrous reinforcement and protective solutions, as well as other technical applications [ 3 , 4 ]. Its involvement in the above application is mainly because it has an improved capacity to absorb energy by higher intra-ply resistance to delamination, saves on cost, and has high production rates [ 5 , 6 , 7 ]. Moreover, such fabric also provides better shaping ability for 3D shape solutions by linking different yarns through different weave styles at the required thickness [ 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 ].…”