Investigation of slashing mechanisms and behavior of high-performance fabrics

Abstract

The slashing mechanism is influenced by various properties that impact fabric slicing, contingent upon both fabric design and yarn-slicing characteristics. This study explores the slash resistance of soft armor, underscoring the essential need for enhancements in fabric design and fiber properties. Yarn-slicing qualities and the fabric’s pattern play pivotal roles in the fabric-cutting mechanism. The fabric stabbing resistance force demonstrates strong positive correlations with multiple factors, encompassing values such as friction force between warp and weft, yarn cutting force, yarn pull-off force, fabric shear modulus, and fabric flexural stiffness. The investigation explores the relationship between slash resistance in high-performance fabrics, revealing a robust correlation with factors such as yarn cutting force, yarn pull-off force, fabric shear modulus, friction force between warp and weft, and fabric flexural rigidity. Fabrics constructed from Kevlar 129 or 29 showcase the highest slashing resistance force. Experimental results unveil that the Kevlar 129 plain weave exhibits the utmost resistance, recording a force of 100.37 N and a fabric-slashing energy of 3.65 J. In contrast, the Kevlar 29 plain weave structure withstands a slash resistance force of 67 N, while the Kevlar 29-carbon plain weave displays a slash resistance of 62.97 N. The correlation coefficients between various variables linked to fabric-slashing resistance force unveil a strong, positive, and highly interrelated association for the majority of factors investigated. These factors encompass yarn-cutting force, yarn pull-off force, fabric shear modulus, and fabric flexural rigidity. Additionally, there exists a positive correlation with the friction force between warp and weft.