Perforation of high-strength fabric by projectiles of different geometry

This paper investigates the ballistic limits, energy absorption behaviour and the mechanisms that lead to perforation in Twaron® CT 716 plain-woven, single-ply fabric by different shaped projectiles. The projectile shapes tested are flat head, hemispherical head, ogival head (CRH 2.5) and conical head (half angle of 30°). Results show that while the amount of energy absorbed by the fabric is quantitatively different for all four projectiles, they show similar trends—energy absorbed increases with impact velocity up to a critical impact velocity before it starts to decrease. The energy absorption capability of the Twaron® fabric is explained by considering how impact energy is converted to strain energy and kinetic energy of the fabric. Each projectile shape was also found to perforate the fabric through different mechanisms—yarn rupture, fibrillation, failure by friction, and bowing.