Body Armor - Current and Potential Materials

Abstract

Military forces have faced the ballistic threat in many forms for hundreds of years, ranging from spears to bomb fragmentation. Soldiers have historically worn body armor to protect themselves on the battlefield. The goal of modern lightweight body armor development has always been to develop lighter and stronger materials so that performance can be improved while reducing weight and making the mobility of the personnel easy. Body armor ballistic testing follows strict guidelines provided by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) in the United States of America. According to the new testing standards, innovative products are being released. This review elaborates on various materials and composites that are being used in the making of body armor that eventually help eliminate the threats from high-velocity bullets, shell fragments, and knives. In this paper, the science of body armor materials is quickly reviewed with emphasis on current knowledge of relevant energy-absorbing mechanisms in fibers, fabrics, polymeric laminates, and ceramics. The drive to create lightweight and comfortable armor systems for military personnel has led to the development of various composite materials. The paper reviews the major features of materials used in body armor and focuses on the development of intriguing new potential materials.