Evaluation of the ballistic protection level of (glass-fiber reinforced polyamide 6)-aramid fabric sandwich composite panels

TLDR

Polymer matrix composites have become increasingly common in armor applications. This study evaluated the ballistic performance of a laminar polymer‑based composite body armor. The armor consisted of a 30 cm × 30 cm sandwich panel of polyamide 6 reinforced with 37 wt % fiberglass, flanked by two such layers and an intermediate aramid fabric, and was tested against various firearms. The armor stopped 9 mm rounds, meeting NIJ Level III‑A, but was permanently deformed by 5.56 mm and 7.62 mm rounds, so Level IV is not recommended.

Abstract

The use of polymer matrix composite materials in the armor industry has rapidly increased. In the present work, the ballistic efficiency of body armor manufactured using a polymer-based composite, with a laminar configuration, was tested. For the composite, a synthesized polyamide 6 reinforced with 37% weight of fiberglass (GF) and an aramid fabric, were used. The laminar configuration of the composite, like a sandwich form with a size of 30 cm × 30 cm, was made with two panels of composite material (PA6 + 37 wt % GF) and an intermediate aramid fabric layer. It was tested in ballistic environments with available firearms. The results showed that the manufactured body armor prevents the penetration of a 9 mm bullet enabling its potential use as an urban armor level III-A, according to NIJ-Standard-0101.04. However, after testing with weapons larger than 9 mm in caliber, it was permanently deformed (5.56 mm and 7.62 mm weapons), which is why the level IV is not recommended.