Use of 3D Angle-Interlock Woven Fabric for Seamless Female Body Armor: Part 1: Ballistic Evaluation

Abstract

In contrast to making male body armor, manufacturers of body armor encounter problems in design and manufacture of female body armor because of the curvaceous body shape of females. The traditional cut-and-sew method could be used to form the dome shape to accommodate the bust area but it gives rise to weakness at the seams against projectile impact. Fabric folding has been another way to form the domes but it also leads to reduced impact performance and wearing discomfort. In this paper, angle-interlock woven fabrics are proposed as an alternative to the conventional plain woven fabrics in making female body armor due to their advantages in moldability without the need of cutting or folding and ease in manufacture. However, it is vital that the angle-interlock fabrics satisfy the ballistic requirements before being employed for the body armor application. Part Ι of this paper reports on an investigation on the ballistic performance of angle-interlock fabrics. It has been found that the angle-interlock fabric is not less than the conventional fabric constructions used for body armor against ballistic impact. Based on the employment of the angle-interlock fabric, Part ΙΙ presents the mathematical modeling of molding of angle-interlock fabrics to form the front panel of female body armor, which would lead to quick creation of female body armor based on the input of the body and bust sizes.