High energy ballistic and fracture comparison between multilayered armor systems using non-woven curaua fabric composites and aramid laminates

For personal protection against high kinetic energy projectiles, multilayered armor systems (MAS) are usually the best option. They combine synergistically the properties of different materials such as ceramics, composites and metals. In the present work, ballistic tests were performed to evaluate multilayered armor systems (MAS) using curaua non-woven fabric epoxy composites as second layer. A comparison to a MAS using aramid (Kevlar™) fabric laminates was made. The results showed that the curaua non-woven fabric composites are suitable to the high ballistic applications, and are promising substitutes for aramid fabric laminates.