Hybrid Textile-Based Multi-Layered Flexible System for Penetration Resistance

Tex Tech Industries has an effective through thickness reinforced hybrid ballistic fabric that has recently been introduced into the ballistic armor market for police force body armor. Fabric made with this technology was tested for V-50 results using both 9mm projectiles (124g Full Metal jacket) and .22 caliber fragment simulation projectiles( FSP, 17 grain). Result from this testing demonstrated that a 0.62 lb/ft² fabric was able to achieve a V-50 of over 1,600 feet per second ballistically and over 1,800 feet per second with the fragment simulation projectile (FSP). The through thickness reinforced ballistic fabric provides improved ballistic performance through higher impact velocities and reduced back face signatures compared to similar 2D fabrics. The University of Maine at Orono and Tex Tech Industries, with Armor Holdings propose to continue to develop the material to higher ballistic performance and lower weight through optimization of through thickness reinforcement, fiber and fabric type, ceramics additions, and felt additions.