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Selected Issues of Lightweight Bulletproof Vests Design and Testing
Abstract
The paper presents selected issues of lightweight bulletproof vest development with particular emphasis given to soft ballistic materials. Three types of Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) were selected for ballistic resistance tests. They were Dyneema® soft ballistic materials SB21, SB51 and SB71. The main aim of the research was to determine the minimum number of layers of each material that meets the protection requirements of the Polish and NIJ standards, taking into account efficiency of the armour as well as the limit of back face signature (BFS). Key characteristics of fiber-based polyethylene materials as well as ammunition used are pointed out. The material sets consisted of layers set together loosely and secured on the sides with technical tape. The ballistic resistance tests were conducted in the ballistic tunnel at stable atmospheric conditions. The first stage of experiments involved testing the samples with the use of two types of pistol ammunition: 7.62x25 mm TT FMJS and 0.44†Remington Magnum SJHP and after determining the sufficient number of layers of each material the arranged sets were subjected to V50 tests with the use of fragment simulating projectiles (FSP). The second stage involved testing of polyethylene and aramid layers with two additional types of pistol ammunition with increased penetration capabilities that is 5.7x28 mm SS190 and 4.6x30 mm DM31.
Keywords
Ballistic resistance, aramid fabric, non-woven polyethylene.
DOI
10.12783/ballistics2017/16900
10.12783/ballistics2017/16900