Surface modification of body armour fabrics for improved ballistic impact energy absorption

Apart from fibre/yarn properties and fabric construction parameters, body armour performance also depends on the modification techniques used to alter fibre/yarn and fabric properties. The surface friction of currently used high-performance fibre materials Aramid and High Performance Polyethylene for soft body armour is very low and this has become an issue in the effectiveness of ballistic energy absorption and preventing from bullet of body armours. In this study, plasma treatment was employed to modify the surface of Kevlar fabric for improved surface performance. Scanning electronic microscopy provides morphology of the treated fibre surface in comparison to the untreated. Yarn pulling out test shows the improved surface friction of plasma treated fabric. Furthermore FEA results show that high surface coefficient of friction corresponds to better ballistic performance of a specific constructed fabric with the aid of plasma treatment.