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

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.

Keywords

• Polyamide 6
• Fiberglass
• Laminar composite
• Body armor
• Ballistic impact