Impact resistance of fiber reinforced sandwich-structured nonwoven composites: Reinforcing effect of different fiber length. (September 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lin, Ting Ru; Lin, Ting An; Lin, Mei-Chen; Lin, Yan-Yu; Lou, Ching-Wen; Lin, Jia-Horng
• Is Part Of: Materials today communications. Volume 24(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-09
• Subjects: High-strength polyester filaments -- High-strength polyester staple fibers -- Heat treatment -- Sandwich composites -- Personal protective equipment; Materials science -- Periodicals; 620.11
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mtcomm.2020.101345
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2352-4928

Abstract

Abstract: Apart from the main function of stab resistance, personal protective equipment is required to be comfortable, flexible, and light weighted and as such to prevent soldiers and police officers from the danger caused by a long-term use and accidents. The stab resistance is dependent on the structure formed of different materials and processes majorly, and therefore this study proposes sandwich-structured composites using high-strength polyester staple fibers (S-type) and high strength polyester filaments (F-type) that have differing characteristics by means of the nonwoven process. First, recycled Kevlar® fibers, nylon fibers, and low-melting-point polyester fibers are processed, thereby forming the surface and bottom layers. In addition, the needle punching process and heat treatment are performed with the aim of combining high strength polyester filaments or staple fibers as the interlayer. Next, the differences in the fiber structure and damage modes of sandwich composites are examined in terms of the interlayer type ( i.e. S- and F-type) by conducting the quasi-static stab resistance testing and SEM/FE-SEM observations, respectively. The test results indicate that the S-type sandwich composites outperform the F-type sandwich composites in terms of absorbing the puncture, and the stab resistance is 415 N for S 30013 group. However, the S-type sandwich composites have the potential to develop personal protective equipment by virtue of a light weight and being comfortable provided by filaments.