Title: Development of Kevlar-ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene composites for ballistic applications

Authors: Santhosh Sundharesan; Anand Narayanan Nair

Addresses: Department of Engineering, University of Technology and Applied Sciences-Al Mussanah, Muladha, P.B.191, P.C. 314, Sultanate of Oman ' Department of Engineering, University of Technology and Applied Sciences-Al Mussanah, Muladha, P.B.191, P.C. 314, Sultanate of Oman

Abstract: The present study aims at developing a new composite material for bullet-proof vest used in defence applications. The components of the composite were Kevlar, ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene, combined with and without natural date fibre mixed in epoxy resin. Different combinations of polymeric layers were fabricated to form compact sandwich plates by hard pressing. Then ballistic tests were done with standard 9 mm bullets to assess the suitability of the materials for real firing conditions at common firing ranges of 20 m and 25 m. A comparison in penetration resistance of the composite plates with and without date fibres was made and it was observed that the sandwich plates with date fibres was observed to be better resistant to the firings.

Keywords: Kevlar; epoxy; armour; fibre; firing.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMATEI.2024.138604

International Journal of Materials Engineering Innovation, 2024 Vol.15 No.2, pp.135 - 142

Received: 31 May 2022
Accepted: 09 Oct 2022
Published online: 15 May 2024 *

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