Influence of Topical Cross-Linking on Mechanical and Ballistic Performance of a Woven Ultra-High-Molecular-Weight Polyethylene Fabric Used in Soft Body Armor
Mathieu L. Lepage, Mahdi Takaffoli, Chakravarthi Simhadri, Ryan Mandau, Mazeyar Parvinzadeh Gashti, Rashid Nazir, Majid Mohseni, Wu Li, Chang Liu, Liting Bi, Greg Falck, Peter Berrang, Kevin Golovin, Abbas S. Milani, Gino A. DiLabio, Jeremy E. Wulff
Abstract
We demonstrate that topical cross-linking of woven ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fabric with a small-molecule bis-diazirine reagent can enhance the fabric’s resistance to tear and perforation and could provide a lead to further increase the protection provided by a soft body armor made from UHMWPE materials. A series of experiments confirms that the enhancement is likely due to cross-links formed within and between the yarns constituting the woven fabric and that cross-linking particularly strengthens the fabric along its bias direction. The treated fabric was incorporated into multilayer composite panels and challenged in ballistic tests. These measurements revealed that as low as a 1 wt % cross-linker can significantly increase the V50 ballistic limit by 18 m/s.