Perforation of high-strength double-ply fabric system by varying shaped projectiles

Abstract

Work done previously on single-ply ballistic resistant fabric systems is now extended to double-ply systems. Experiments were carried out to investigate the impact phenomenon of double-ply systems that consists of Twaron® CT 716 fabric and projectiles of the following nose shapes: hemispherical, flat, ogival (CRH 2.5) and conical (half-angle of 30°). Results obtained revealed that the increase in energy absorption does not necessarily double when the ply number is increased to two. In fact, the ratio of energy absorbed in the double-ply system to that of the single-ply system varies with impact velocity and projectile geometry. At points corresponding to maximum energy absorption, the ratio for all projectile types scatters about an average of 2.1. The amount of deviation from this value depends on the mechanisms that lead to perforation. Failure mechanisms of a double-ply system are similar to those of a single-ply system, but the degree of damage of the impact and distal plies differs. © 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.