STUDY ON THE PENETRATION RESISTANCE OF MULTILAYER STITCHED MATERIALS USING WOVEN FABRICS AND COATED SHEETS

Abstract

Aramid and UHMWPE are two high-strength fibers widely used in the fabrication of stab-resistant materials for soft body armor. This study evaluates the stab resistance of multilayered stitched materials using Twaron® woven fabric and Dyneema® SB21 coated sheets. Stab penetration tests were conducted following the NIJ Standard 0115.00, with some modifications for research purposes. The results indicate that woven fabric offers a weight advantage, while coated sheets provide thinner protection when used individually. When combining both materials, the configuration with the woven fabric on the outer layer and the coated sheet on the inner layer exhibited superior stab resistance. This difference is attributed to the design of the S1 knife and the distinct mechanical properties of the two materials. Under the tested conditions, the optimal structure was determined to consist of approximately 54% woven fabric on the outside and 46% coated sheet on the inside, significantly reducing penetration depth. This study provides a scientific basis for designing lightweight and flexible soft body armor, contributing to practical applications in personal protection.