Comparison of Ballistic Performance and Energy Absorption Capabilities of Woven and Unidirectional Aramid Fabrics

TLDR

The study compared ballistic protection panels made from 100 % woven versus 100 % unidirectional nonwoven para‑aramid fabrics across varying ply numbers. Panels of Twaron CT 710 woven and K‑Flex unidirectional nonwoven para‑aramid fabrics were tested under NIJ ballistic standards, with trauma depth and diameter measured to compute absorbed and transmitted energy. Unidirectional panels absorbed 12.5–16.5 % more energy per unit weight than woven panels.

Abstract

This study investigated and compared the performance of ballistic protection panels formed with 100% woven and 100% unidirectional nonwoven para-aramid fabrics at different fabric ply numbers. For this purpose, Twaron CT 710 type woven para-aramid fabric panels and K-Flex unidirectional nonwoven para-aramid fabric panels (which were formed by using Kevlar 129 yarns) of different ply numbers were subjected to ballistic tests according to NIJ standards. Ballistic performance of the test samples was determined by measuring trauma depth and trauma diameter. The energy absorbed by fabric layers and the energy transmitted to the back of fabric layers were calculated from trauma depth and trauma diameter values. It was shown that the unidirectional fabric panels absorbed around 12.5—16.5% more energy than woven fabric panels for the unit panel weight.