Dissipation of energy by bulletproof aramid fabric

Abstract

The bullet resistance of laminates comprised of several layers of aramid Armos fabric has been studied. The high bullet resistance of the fabric is caused by the pulling-out of yarns impacted by the bullet. The pull-out zone is cross-shaped, the centre being the impact point. The length and the width of the pull-out zone was determined for each fabric layer. Energy transferred to fibres increases with the volume of the pull-out zone. Water reduces the bullet resistance of laminates owing to reduction of the width of the zone. The length of the pull-out zone is shorter if the transverse displacement of layers is restricted. At a projectile velocity of 420 m s-1, Armos yarns do not break immediately on impact, and the longitudinal wave propagates along the fibre. Friction of yarns in aramid fabric was studied by a yarn pull-out method.