Effect of Pre-Tension on Ballistic Resistance of Woven Fabric

Abstract:

An experimental investigation into projectile penetration of pre-tensioned woven fabric samples – Tawron^® CT 717 (plain weave) – is undertaken. Specimens are clamped at their top and bottom edges, and pre-stretched by forces of 200N, 1000N, 2000N, 3000N and 4000N respectively. They are then oriented at various angles (0, 7.5°, 15° and 30°) from the vertical (perpendicular to the horizontal axis of a gas gun), and subjected to impact by a 12mm diameter steel sphere. A high-speed camera is utilized to observe the deformation and failure of the fabric, and to determine the residual projectile velocity. For normal incidence, the ballistic limit initially increases, then decreases with pre-tension, displaying a maximum resistance for a pre-tension of about 2000N. With respect to the angle of incidence (obliquity of impact), for target inclinations of 7.5° and 15°, pre-tension has minimal influence on the ballistic limit, while for an inclination of 30°, the effect of pre-tension on the ballistic limit is similar to that for normal impact.

• Periodical: Applied Mechanics and Materials (Volume 566)
• Pages: 325-331
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.566.325
• Online since: June 2014
• Authors: V.P.W. Shim*, Y.B. Guo, X.Y. Tan
• Keywords: Ballistic Resistance, Fabric, High-Speed Photography, Pre-Tension

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