Ballistic Testing of Armor Panels Based on Aramid

Abstract

Industry and market of ballistic protection materials and systems are characterized by a dynamic and competing succession of inventions for projectiles and protective systems. The requirements for the ballistic panels are many and complex, varying depending on the threat type, the required mobility in the tactical theater, and protection level. The safety degree, the price, and the dynamics of research in the field are also taken into account. This chapter underlines the necessity of testing ballistic protection panels made of LFT SB1 plus (multidirectional fiber fabrics, supplied by Teijin) against a certain threat in order to assess their resistance to this specific threat and the investigation of failure mechanisms in order to improve their behavior at ballistic impact. The models for ballistic impact are useful when they are particularly formulated for resembling the actual system projectile, target, and can be validated through laboratory experiments. Tests made on panels made of LFT SB1plus, according to NIJ Standard-0101.06-2008 gave good results for the panels made of 12 layers of this fabric, and the backface signature (BFS) was measured. The BFS upper tolerance limit of 24,441 mm recommends this system for protection level IIA, according to the abovementioned standard.