Investigating Ballistic impact on fabric targets with gripping yarns

Abstract

The purpose of the research is to investigate the fabric structure (with gripping yarns) in the influence of ballistic performance; therefore to improve the ballistic performance of the current used body armour materials. Twelve different fabrics having gripping yarn designed along fabric warp and/or weft directions. Their ballistic performance in terms of energy absorption has been studied and comparisons made among the single layered fabrics and between the two double layered fabrics, as well as to the conventional used plain evenly woven fabric for both cases. It was found that fabrics with gripping yarns have improved the fabric ballistic performance. Inter-jointed two-layer fabric performs better than the un-jointed two-layer fabric; it shows a 16.6% increase in the energy absorption. The implication of the research is that body armour can be made lighter without reducing ballistic impact performance by using gripping yarns