High Strain Rate Damage Mechanisms in 2D/3D Ballistic Fabrics
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Manchester
Department Name: Materials
Abstract
This proposal aims to investigate the damage mechanisms that occur during ballistic impact in protective fabric assemblies and use the results obtained to improve the protection of ballistic body armours. When a high-velocity projectile strikes an assembly of many layers of ballistic fabric, the action on the layers and the reaction from the layers vary significantly with position within the assembly. The fabric layers should therefore be designed and engineered discretely according to the stress and strain distributions that occur. This research's theme is the recognition of the differences in the strain distribution in each and every layer of the assembly when the armour is impacted. Studies will be carried out, by means of high-speed photography, Raman spectroscopy and computer simulation to provide scientific evidence on the strain distribution. Aramid fabrics with novel structures will be then engineered and produced with controlled yarn/fibre gripping in the fabrics to match the pattern of strain distributions found. This work will build upon our success on such novel fabrics gained during our on-going MOD funded Competition of Ideas project. Layering of fabrics with different properties will be the optimised for maximum protection against ballistic impact. Body armours made from the novel fabrics will be tested against the NIJ and HOSDB standards and will be compared to the existing versions of body armours. At the completion of this 4-year project, we envisage that the understanding of ballistic damage mechanisms will be enhanced and that a new version of body armour using the engineered novel fabrics will be prototyped.
Organisations
- University of Manchester (Lead Research Organisation)
- Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Co-funder)
- Teijin Aramid B.V. (Collaboration)
- Armourshield Ltd (Collaboration, Project Partner)
- Sigmatex (Collaboration)
- Cooneen Protection Limited (Collaboration)
- Metropolitan Police Service (Collaboration)
- Sigmatex UK Ltd (Project Partner)
- Teijin (Netherlands) (Project Partner)
- Metropolitan Police Service (Project Partner)
- Hawk Protection Ltd (Project Partner)
Publications
Zhou Y
(2014)
Influence of yarn gripping on the ballistic performance of woven fabrics from ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fibre
in Composites Part B: Engineering
Zhou Y
(2014)
Numerical investigations into the response of fabrics subjected to ballistic impact
in Journal of Industrial Textiles
Yan R
(2014)
Aramid/epoxy composites with angle-laid reinforcement constructions for ballistic protection
in Journal of Industrial Textiles
Wang Y
(2016)
Finite element analysis of effect of inter-yarn friction on ballistic impact response of woven fabrics
in Composite Structures
Wang Y
(2015)
A numerical study of ply orientation on ballistic impact resistance of multi-ply fabric panels
in Composites Part B: Engineering
Wang Y
(2015)
An experimental study of the effect of ply orientation on ballistic impact performance of multi-ply fabric panels
in Textile Research Journal
Wang Y
(2016)
A numerical and experimental analysis of the influence of crimp on ballistic impact response of woven fabrics
in Composite Structures
Min S
(2016)
Effect of reinforcement continuity on the ballistic performance of composites reinforced with multiply plain weave fabric
in Composites Part B: Engineering
Min S
(2016)
Numerical study on mechanisms of angle-plied panels for ballistic protection
in Materials & Design
Chu Y
(2014)
An investigation on sol-gel treatment to aramid yarn to increase inter-yarn friction
in Applied Surface Science
Chu Y
(2014)
Surface modification of aramid fibers by atmospheric pressure plasma-enhanced vapor deposition
in Textile Research Journal
Chen X
(2013)
Strain Distribution and Engineering of Ballistic Fabrics
Chen X
(2012)
2D/3D woven fabrics for ballistic protection
Chen X
(2016)
Handbook of Technical Textiles
Chen X
(2014)
Numerical and experimental investigations into ballistic performance of hybrid fabric panels
in Composites Part B: Engineering
| Description | The research was carried out based on experimental and numerical methods on the construction of ballistic fabrics and ballistic panels. The key findings including an improved understanding of the strain and stress distribution, influence of inter-yarn friction on ballistic performance, effectiveness of quasi-isotropic ballistic panels, yarn crimp influence of fabric ballistic performance, effectiveness of angle-laid reinforcement in ballistic composites, improved FE modelling of fabrics and panels for ballistic protection. |
| Exploitation Route | The findings can be further explored together with industrial partners for creating new generation of ballistic protective products. |
| Sectors | Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Education,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology,Transport |
| Description | The MOD followed up the research by making fabric panels with fabrics having enhanced inter yarn friction, and the results from V50 tests show that fabrics with stronger inter-yarn griping lead to panels with higher V50. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2014 |
| Sector | Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Education,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology |
| Impact Types | Societal,Policy & public services |
| Description | Investigation of Strain Distribution in Ballistic Fabrics for High Performance Body Armour |
| Amount | £45,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Defence Science & Technology Laboratory (DSTL) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 09/2011 |
| End | 03/2014 |
| Description | Lightweight Ballistic Body Armour with Reduced Behind Armour Blunt Trauma |
| Amount | £30,500 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Defence Science & Technology Laboratory (DSTL) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 01/2010 |
| End | 12/2010 |
| Title | Photon High Speed Camera |
| Description | This photon high speed camera was purchased to replace the previous synchronised photography. The new camera is able to take maximum 675K frames per second, suitable for ballistic materials research. |
| Type Of Material | Improvements to research infrastructure |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | This camera enabled the research team to observe the impact of the high velocity projectile to the target fabric, and enable the researchers to get more detailed details which are not possible to get otherwise. |
| Title | Portable Raman Spectroscopy |
| Description | This helps to measure strain distribution in yarns under turnover deformation. |
| Type Of Material | Improvements to research infrastructure |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | This device has been used to identify the peak shift and expansion of a tensioned fibre/yarn under quasi-static transverse loading. |
| Description | Collaborations |
| Organisation | Armourshield Ltd |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | The University of Manchester (UoM) led this research collaboration in probing the theoretical and practical problems defined by the research. Quarterly meetings was organised and the UoM research team disseminated the research findings to the consortium as well as presenting problems to the consortium for discussions. The collaborative partners benefit from such frequent briefings on research and form group discussion. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Cooneen Protection: they came to quarterly meetings held at UoM, participated discussions, provided field study opportunities, and invited the PI to Cooneen for presentations. Armourshield Ltd: they came to quarterly meetings held at UoM, participated discussions, provided field study opportunities, and provided testing services based on NIJ standard. Sigmatex UK Ltd: they came to quarterly meetings held at UoM, participated discussions, , and had detailed discussions on design and production of ballistic fabrics. Teijin Aramid BV: they came to quarterly meetings held at UoM, participated discussions, and they provided all fibres that are used for this research. The metropolitan Police: they came to quarterly meetings held at UoM, and participated discussions. |
| Impact | The collaborative consortium worked with the research team very closely. The outcomes from this collaboration include: (1) identification of major problems in the field of ballistic protection; (2) design and manufacture woven fabrics with different techniques to control the inter-yarn friction; (3) establishment of numerical models to further analyse failure mechanisms of yarns and stress/strain distribution in the ballistic impact event; and (4) enrichment of the knowledge base for engineering design of fibre based ballistic materials. In addition, requirements on general ballistic materials were formed, which provided guidance for future materials and technologies for ballistic protection. |
| Start Year | 2009 |
| Description | Collaborations |
| Organisation | Cooneen Protection Limited |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | The University of Manchester (UoM) led this research collaboration in probing the theoretical and practical problems defined by the research. Quarterly meetings was organised and the UoM research team disseminated the research findings to the consortium as well as presenting problems to the consortium for discussions. The collaborative partners benefit from such frequent briefings on research and form group discussion. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Cooneen Protection: they came to quarterly meetings held at UoM, participated discussions, provided field study opportunities, and invited the PI to Cooneen for presentations. Armourshield Ltd: they came to quarterly meetings held at UoM, participated discussions, provided field study opportunities, and provided testing services based on NIJ standard. Sigmatex UK Ltd: they came to quarterly meetings held at UoM, participated discussions, , and had detailed discussions on design and production of ballistic fabrics. Teijin Aramid BV: they came to quarterly meetings held at UoM, participated discussions, and they provided all fibres that are used for this research. The metropolitan Police: they came to quarterly meetings held at UoM, and participated discussions. |
| Impact | The collaborative consortium worked with the research team very closely. The outcomes from this collaboration include: (1) identification of major problems in the field of ballistic protection; (2) design and manufacture woven fabrics with different techniques to control the inter-yarn friction; (3) establishment of numerical models to further analyse failure mechanisms of yarns and stress/strain distribution in the ballistic impact event; and (4) enrichment of the knowledge base for engineering design of fibre based ballistic materials. In addition, requirements on general ballistic materials were formed, which provided guidance for future materials and technologies for ballistic protection. |
| Start Year | 2009 |
| Description | Collaborations |
| Organisation | Metropolitan Police Service |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | The University of Manchester (UoM) led this research collaboration in probing the theoretical and practical problems defined by the research. Quarterly meetings was organised and the UoM research team disseminated the research findings to the consortium as well as presenting problems to the consortium for discussions. The collaborative partners benefit from such frequent briefings on research and form group discussion. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Cooneen Protection: they came to quarterly meetings held at UoM, participated discussions, provided field study opportunities, and invited the PI to Cooneen for presentations. Armourshield Ltd: they came to quarterly meetings held at UoM, participated discussions, provided field study opportunities, and provided testing services based on NIJ standard. Sigmatex UK Ltd: they came to quarterly meetings held at UoM, participated discussions, , and had detailed discussions on design and production of ballistic fabrics. Teijin Aramid BV: they came to quarterly meetings held at UoM, participated discussions, and they provided all fibres that are used for this research. The metropolitan Police: they came to quarterly meetings held at UoM, and participated discussions. |
| Impact | The collaborative consortium worked with the research team very closely. The outcomes from this collaboration include: (1) identification of major problems in the field of ballistic protection; (2) design and manufacture woven fabrics with different techniques to control the inter-yarn friction; (3) establishment of numerical models to further analyse failure mechanisms of yarns and stress/strain distribution in the ballistic impact event; and (4) enrichment of the knowledge base for engineering design of fibre based ballistic materials. In addition, requirements on general ballistic materials were formed, which provided guidance for future materials and technologies for ballistic protection. |
| Start Year | 2009 |
| Description | Collaborations |
| Organisation | Sigmatex |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | The University of Manchester (UoM) led this research collaboration in probing the theoretical and practical problems defined by the research. Quarterly meetings was organised and the UoM research team disseminated the research findings to the consortium as well as presenting problems to the consortium for discussions. The collaborative partners benefit from such frequent briefings on research and form group discussion. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Cooneen Protection: they came to quarterly meetings held at UoM, participated discussions, provided field study opportunities, and invited the PI to Cooneen for presentations. Armourshield Ltd: they came to quarterly meetings held at UoM, participated discussions, provided field study opportunities, and provided testing services based on NIJ standard. Sigmatex UK Ltd: they came to quarterly meetings held at UoM, participated discussions, , and had detailed discussions on design and production of ballistic fabrics. Teijin Aramid BV: they came to quarterly meetings held at UoM, participated discussions, and they provided all fibres that are used for this research. The metropolitan Police: they came to quarterly meetings held at UoM, and participated discussions. |
| Impact | The collaborative consortium worked with the research team very closely. The outcomes from this collaboration include: (1) identification of major problems in the field of ballistic protection; (2) design and manufacture woven fabrics with different techniques to control the inter-yarn friction; (3) establishment of numerical models to further analyse failure mechanisms of yarns and stress/strain distribution in the ballistic impact event; and (4) enrichment of the knowledge base for engineering design of fibre based ballistic materials. In addition, requirements on general ballistic materials were formed, which provided guidance for future materials and technologies for ballistic protection. |
| Start Year | 2009 |
| Description | Collaborations |
| Organisation | Teijin Aramid B.V. |
| Country | Netherlands |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | The University of Manchester (UoM) led this research collaboration in probing the theoretical and practical problems defined by the research. Quarterly meetings was organised and the UoM research team disseminated the research findings to the consortium as well as presenting problems to the consortium for discussions. The collaborative partners benefit from such frequent briefings on research and form group discussion. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Cooneen Protection: they came to quarterly meetings held at UoM, participated discussions, provided field study opportunities, and invited the PI to Cooneen for presentations. Armourshield Ltd: they came to quarterly meetings held at UoM, participated discussions, provided field study opportunities, and provided testing services based on NIJ standard. Sigmatex UK Ltd: they came to quarterly meetings held at UoM, participated discussions, , and had detailed discussions on design and production of ballistic fabrics. Teijin Aramid BV: they came to quarterly meetings held at UoM, participated discussions, and they provided all fibres that are used for this research. The metropolitan Police: they came to quarterly meetings held at UoM, and participated discussions. |
| Impact | The collaborative consortium worked with the research team very closely. The outcomes from this collaboration include: (1) identification of major problems in the field of ballistic protection; (2) design and manufacture woven fabrics with different techniques to control the inter-yarn friction; (3) establishment of numerical models to further analyse failure mechanisms of yarns and stress/strain distribution in the ballistic impact event; and (4) enrichment of the knowledge base for engineering design of fibre based ballistic materials. In addition, requirements on general ballistic materials were formed, which provided guidance for future materials and technologies for ballistic protection. |
| Start Year | 2009 |