Session: 03-07-01: Material Processing of Flexible/Emerging Electronics, Sensors, and Devices I

Paper Number: 96207

96207 - Body Armor - Current and Potential Materials 

Military forces have faced the ballistic threat in many forms for hundreds of years, ranging from spears to bomb fragmentation. Soldiers have historically worn body armor to protect themselves on the battlefield. People have always sought better personnel protection, from the usage of leather in the east to chain mail in the west. The goal of modern lightweight body armor development has always been to develop lighter and stronger materials so that performance can be improved while reducing weight and making the mobility of the personnel easy. A lot of effort has gone into combating the ballistic hazards. Body armor ballistic testing follows strict guidelines provided by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) in the United States of America. The threat has evolved as a result of the current asymmetric battlefield that modern military forces now face. More often than not, the military personnel are hit by improvised explosive devices (IEDs) planted by irregular forces.

Hard body armor and soft body armor are the two types of modern body armor. Metal or ceramic plates are used to make hard body armor. The majority portion of soft body armor is made up of layers of fabric comprised of high-performance fibers. Soft body armor is mostly used by soldiers on the battlefield in conjunction with hard body armor to provide adequate ballistic protection, or by law enforcement officials who are more likely to confront lesser levels of ballistic hazard. Modern advancements like high-strength synthetic materials have built on this to create systems that protect wearers from bullets, shell fragments, and knives. Body armor is now an acceptable element of everyday wear for both military and police personnel as a result of these improvements. Due to evolving threats on the battlefield, new testing standards are being written or revised. According to the new testing standards, innovative products are being released. This review elaborates on various materials and composites that are being used in the making of body armor that eventually help eliminate the threats from high-velocity bullets, shell fragments, and knives.

In this paper, the science of body armor materials is quickly reviewed with emphasis upon current knowledge of relevant energy-absorbing mechanisms in fibers, fabrics, polymeric laminates, and ceramics. The current state of ballistic fiber development is then examined, analyzed, and future estimates are presented. The drive to create lightweight and comfortable armor systems for military personnel has led to the development of various composite materials. The challenges of the armor are reported, and the importance of the Hard Armor Plate to Soft Armor Insert is stated. The paper reviews the major features of materials used in body armor and focuses on the development of intriguing new materials that are allowing new systems to be introduced in the market. The potential body armor materials are also discussed in the paper, whether it be nanomaterials or composite materials.

 

Presenting Author: Nishant Thakkar Gannon University

Presenting Author Biography: Nishant Thakkar received a Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech.) degree in Mechanical Engineering from NMIMS University, Mumbai, India in 2020. He is currently a graduate student at Gannon University, Erie, Pennsylvania pursuing a Master of Science (M.S.) degree in Mechanical Engineering. His research interests include Materials Engineering, Senior Design, Industrial Robotics, and Automation. He has worked in various departments including Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, and Industrial and Robotics Engineering as a Graduate Research Assistant at Gannon University. His ongoing research focuses on bulletproof and blast-resistant materials that are used in ballistics and body armor systems.

Authors:

Nishant Thakkar Gannon University
Davide Piovesan Gannon University
Scott Steinbrink Gannon University