https://digitalcommons.mtech.edu/urp_aug_2017/1000/thumbnail.jp

Baker, Curtis

Prieto, Dario

English

Digital Commons @ Montana Tech

Montana Tech LibraryDigital Commons @ Montana Tech2017 Undergraduate Research Other Undergraduate ResearchSummer 2017Application of Carbon Nanotubes to Kevlar Fabricfor Use in Body ArmorCurtis BakerMontana Tech of the University of Montana, cbaker1@mtech.eduDario PrietoMontana Tech of the University of Montana, dprieto@mtech.eduFollow this and additional works at: http://digitalcommons.mtech.edu/urp_aug_2017This Book is brought to you for free and open access by the Other Undergraduate Research at Digital Commons @ Montana Tech. It has been acceptedfor inclusion in 2017 Undergraduate Research by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ Montana Tech. For more information, pleasecontact sjuskiewicz@mtech.edu.Recommended CitationBaker, Curtis and Prieto, Dario, "Application of Carbon Nanotubes to Kevlar Fabric for Use in Body Armor" (2017). 2017Undergraduate Research. 1.http://digitalcommons.mtech.edu/urp_aug_2017/1Application of Carbon Nanotubes to Kevlar Fabric for Use in Body ArmorCurtis Baker (Montana Tech) and Dario Prieto (Montana Tech)Hypothesis: Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) will greatly increase the strength of Kevlar body armor if chemically bonded directly to the fabricBackground and Theory• CNTs have immense tensile strength but are extremely brittle• If CNTs were bonded to Kevlar, they would entangle the fibers and make it more difficult for a bullet to pass through.  • This could allow armor makers to design body armor that was lighter but offered the same protection as heavier vests.  Will Carbon Nanotubes Strengthen Kevlar Body Armor?Results • The Kevlar with CNTs was more intact after being shot with a .177 caliber air rifle• The yarn was significantly more difficult to pull out of the weave• The fabric had less back-face deformationKevlar after being shot with .177 caliber air rifle. Left: Kevlar with CNTs   Right: Neat KevlarBullet ImpactsAcknowledgementsThis research was sponsored and inspired by Hugh Craig.  Huge thanks to Dr. Dario Prieto who designed much of the experimental methods. Future Work• Continue ballistic testing using .22 caliber subsonic rounds. • Try different weaves of Kevlar • Analyze different treatments of Kevlar oxidation• Produce larger panels of Kevlar for use in hard armor platesConclusions• The CNTs did improve the Kevlar’s performance in ballistic tests• The weave of the fabric didn’t break up as much as in normal Kevlar • This leads to less back-face deformation and increased protection for multiple high velocity impactsKevlar after being shot with .177 caliber air rifle still in sample holder. Note: lack of damage to weaveMethodsSEM photo of CNTs on the surface of a Kevlar fiberSingle wall carbon nanotube¹00.511.522.530.0 0.5 1.0Force (lb)Displacement (in)00.511.522.530.0 0.5 1.0Force (lb)Displacement (in)Yarn Pullout TestKevlar and CNT Neat KevlarBallistic and Tensile TestCNTs+ TolueneSonicate TDIPlasma Treated KevlarSonicator Bath 2hrs, WashMix for 2 hrsKevlarGRFNDispSonicator Bath 2hrs, Wash, DryFinished Samples(3% weight CNT and TDI)Photo References1. Suraj.viswanathan. "Carbon Nanotubes Better than Carbon Fiber." Motoroids. N.p., 18 Mar. 2015. Web. 28 July 2017ΔΕ (J) σ (ksi) Neat 6.2 85.5 Treated 7.4 90.2 Percent Increase 19.3% 5.5% Standard Deviation 0.5 , 0.5 3.7 , 2.9 

Application of Carbon Nanotubes to Kevlar Fabric for Use in Body Armor

https://digitalcommons.mtech.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1000&amp;context=urp_aug_2017

Application of Carbon Nanotubes to Kevlar Fabric for Use in Body Armor

Abstract

Similar works

Full text

Available Versions

Digital Commons @ Montana Tech