Mallow Fiber-Reinforced Epoxy Composites in Multilayered Armor for Personal Ballistic Protection

Lighter and less expensive polymer composites reinforced with natural fibers have been investigated as possible components of a multilayered armor system (MAS) for personal protection against high-velocity ammunition. Their ballistic performance was consistently found comparable with that of conventional Kevlar (R) synthetic aramid fiber. Among the numerous existing natural fibers with the potential for reinforcing polymer composites to replace Kevlar (R) in MAS, mallow fiber has not been fully investigated. Thus, the objective of this work is to evaluate the ballistic performance of epoxy composites reinforced with 30 vol.% of aligned mallow fibers as a second MAS layer backing a front ceramic plate. The results using high-velocity 7.62 ammunition show a similar indentation to a Kevlar (R) layer with the same thickness. An impedance matching calculation supports the similar ballistic performance of mallow fiber composite and Kevlar (R). Reduced MAS costs associated with the mallow fiber composite are practical advantages over Kevlar (R).