Elucidating the Design and Impact Properties of Composite Nonwoven Fabrics with Various Filaments in Bulletproof Vest Cushion Layer

Abstract

Nonwoven materials have been used in ballistic protection applications because they offer the advantages of light and flexible fabrics. This study examined the ballistic protection efficacy of a nonwoven structure with high tenacity polyamide staple fiber as its main component. The nonwoven structure was reinforced with low-melt polyester fiber. High tenacity filaments were laid between two layers of polyamide webs and bonded via needle punching. The impact-resistant properties were assessed using dropped weight and bullet-shooting impact tests. The results of the dropped weight-impact test were used to examine the optimum processing conditions for composite nonwoven fabrics. Furthermore, the results of the bullet-shooting test were used to examine the ballistic protection performance of composite nonwoven fabrics. The experiment's results demonstrated that the cushion structure of composite nonwoven fabric could reduce non-penetration damage and increase the ballistic-resistant properties of bullet-resistant vest.